- April 25, 2024
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Ormond Beach firefighters Mark Allen, Kristi Brown and Mikayla Laks lead the charge for the city's first 9/11 memorial walk event. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The American flag flies high at city hall on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach firefighters wear their full gear for the city's 9/11 memorial walk. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Fire Chief Richard Sievers speaks during a short ceremony prior to the walk. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach City Commissioner and Deputy Mayor Susan Persis speaks during the short ceremony before the walk. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey speaks during the short ceremony before the walk. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Robert Adkins, president of the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1048, is among the first of the crowd to reach the Granada bridge. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Marvin Miller, of Ormond Strong, and Florida Rep. Tom Leekand participate in the memorial walk. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Firefighters and citizens take part in Ormond Beach's first 9/11 memorial bridge walk. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Driver Engineer Hunter Ramirez. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Fire Chief Richard Sievers and his wife Sharon. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Firefighters ascend the Granada Bridge in full gear. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Fire Chief Richard Sievers and his wife Sharon. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach resident Phoebe Riggs, also a volunteer firefighter for Crescent City, takes part in Ormond Beach's first 9/11 memorial bridge walk. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Robert Adkins, president of the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1048, walks the bridge for the city's 9/11 memorial walk event. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
A resident holds a flag as he descends the Granada Bridge. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Firefighter Mikayla Laks and Mark Allen reach Cassen Park during the city's 9/11 memorial walk event. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Firefighter Mark Allen crosses Beach Street toward city hall as he holds a flag. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
An Ormond Beach firefighter's helmet sits on the concrete fence of city hall. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach firefighters Josh Cady and Robert Durham, along with Volusia County firefighter Rob Williams, reach city hall. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach firefighters Josh Cady and Robert Durham head back to the Granada Bridge for a second crossing. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach City Commissioner Dwight Selby shakes a firefighter's hand. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Battalion Chief Nate Quartier reaches city hall. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police officer Robert Pearson and Police Chief Jesse Godfrey reach city hall. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
About 200 people walked the Granada Bridge on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
About 200 citizens walked the Granada Bridge in Ormond Beach on Sept. 11, on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, in memory of the 2,977 victims who lost their lives that morning.
This was the first time the city of Ormond Beach hosted a memorial walk. Ormond Beach firefighters, many wearing their full firefighting gear, led the large crowd. Some crossed the bridge more than once, in recognition of the 110 steps firefighters had to climb on 9/11, a distance that totals about 2 miles.
Ormond Beach Fire Chief Richard Sievers opened the short ceremony prior to the walk, which also included a proclamation read by Ormond Beach City Commissioner and Deputy Mayor Susan Persis. Sievers thanked those in attendance, and reminded them of the number of first responders who died in the attack.
At the World Trade Center complex, the casualties included 343 firefighters and paramedics, 23 New York City police officers, and 37 Port Authority police officers.
We all have our own 9/11 stories, said Sievers; his wife Sharon is a flight attendant with American Airlines and had been on her way to work that morning 20 years ago. He said he knows the residents of Ormond Beach will never forget what happened on 9/11.
“And I know the Fire Department of Ormond Beach will never forget the 343 firefighters that gave that ultimate sacrifice," he said.
The city is also raising funds for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, on behalf of local first responders. The foundation's Fallen First Responder Home Program aims to pay off the mortgages of law enforcement officers and firefighters who die in the line of duty, or due to an illness caused by 9/11, leaving behind young children. It was created in honor of New York Firefighter Stephen Siller, who died on 9/11 while responding to the attacks at the twin towers.
The city has raised $655 of its $2,500 goal.
Visit https://dogood.t2t.org/campaign/city-of-ormond-beach-9-11-granada-bridge-memorial-walk/c353063 to donate.
