Communities across Polk County are preparing to come together in solemn remembrance to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Through coordinated municipal events, local residents, public safety personnel, and civic leaders will gather to pay tribute to the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on that tragic morning.
The milestone anniversary serves as a focal point for two major public commemorations in the county. Haines City and Winter Haven are each organizing dedicated observances designed to honor the victims of the 2001 tragedy while recognizing the service, bravery, and enduring sacrifices of local emergency personnel and armed forces members.
In Haines City, the day’s observances will commence early in the morning with the city's annual Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony. The gathering is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. at Railroad Park, an open public venue situated directly across from Haines City Hall.
Organizers in Haines City have extended an open invitation to the broader public, encouraging municipal employees, elected officials, local first responders, and area families to assemble together. The morning program is structured to create a shared space for collective grief, reflection, and appreciation for the lives cut short a quarter-century ago.
The ceremony will feature formal remarks from prominent municipal emergency services figures. Haines City Fire Chief Codi Donahoe and Haines City Police Chief Issac Jackson are both scheduled to address the audience, offering reflections on the dedication of emergency responders and the profound legacy left behind by the events of Sept. 11.
In addition to municipal leadership, the Haines City ceremony will highlight an eyewitness perspective from a local resident who survived the attacks in New York City. Sasha Estevez, who currently operates RBI Barber in Haines City, has been invited to speak about his personal experiences during the disaster.
On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Estevez was embarking on a new professional chapter, beginning a management role with UPS. His workplace was located in an office building directly across the street from the World Trade Center complex, placing him in immediate proximity to the devastation as the towers were struck. His address will provide attendees with a direct, personal narrative of survival and resilience.
Later in the afternoon and evening, the memorial observances will transition to the city of Winter Haven for the "Honor Our Heroes - Remembering the Day" event. The program will be centered in Winter Haven’s South Central Park and will encompass a range of community activities designed to engage the entire county.
The Winter Haven tribute represents a broad regional collaboration. The event is organized jointly by the city of Winter Haven, the Polk County Veteran's Council, and every fire and law enforcement agency operating throughout Polk County, uniting multiple public safety organizations under a single commemorative effort.
Proceedings in Winter Haven will formally open with registration at 4:30 p.m. for the annual Freedom Walk. The walk itself is scheduled to step off at 5:30 p.m., featuring a course that winds through the streets of downtown Winter Haven to allow participants and onlookers to express their solidarity.
The procession will be led by the Lake Region High School Marine ROTC honor guard, whose student members will guide the community march along the downtown route before returning to the central park grounds for the remaining formal ceremonies.
Following the conclusion of the walk, attendees will hear from emergency leadership representing the host city. Both Winter Haven Police Chief Vance Monroe and Winter Haven Fire Chief Drew Neubrand are scheduled to deliver remarks reflecting on the significance of the 25-year milestone and the ongoing mission of first responders.
The keynote address of the evening will be delivered by Chief Warrant Officer 4 James Ring, who brings a distinguished record spanning more than 26 years of service across both law enforcement and military branches. Ring currently continues his active duty as a chief warrant officer assigned to the 383rd Military Police Detachment.
In addition to speeches and ceremonial marches, the Winter Haven grounds will host dedicated physical memorials. Among them is a traditional cross and boot display constructed to honor every Polk County first responder who has died in the line of duty, set alongside historical exhibits highlighting the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Community organizers emphasize that these events serve an essential dual purpose of historical remembrance and active appreciation for present-day service members. Gary Clark, Chairman of the Polk County Veteran's Council, noted that the initiative provides a vital avenue to unite the entire region while acknowledging the constant risks assumed by local service members.
"This event is a way to pull all of Polk County together and show our local heroes how much they mean to us," Clark explained, stressing that the local community holds an ongoing duty to honor all personnel who protect the public daily, whether performing duties locally at home or deployed overseas.
(0)