Florida Republicans and Democrats remembered the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on Thursday. The attack killed 2,977 victims and led the United States into the War on Terror over the next two decades.
"We enter today solemn, knowing the world holds so much pain. Yet 9/11 reminds us of the day America stood united, stared evil in the eye, and refused to break," the Florida Republican Party shared in a social media post. "We remember the lives lost, the bravery shown, and we pray for God’s comfort over our nation. We will never forget."
"We honor the memory of those lost on September 11, 2001 and extend our support to those still healing. We salute the unwavering courage of first responders on that day and will never forget their bravery," Florida Democrats added.
Florida officials also commemorated the anniversary of the attack, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, while speaking in Palm Harbor on Thursday.
"It's important for our kids to know that on the worst day, where the worst evil was put before us, we saw some of the best that this country has to offer," DeSantis said. "We saw true heroism. We saw selflessness. We saw people run into the fire. And that is not something that happens every single day."
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia also commemorated the attack.
"We will #NeverForget the nearly 3,000 American souls who lost their lives during the heinous attacks on 9/11. On that tragic day, the strength and unity of our nation were put to the test and we prevailed over the terror and the evil," Ingoglia said. "We remain inspired by heroic stories of those who sacrificed their lives to save their neighbors. May God bless them and their families, now and forever."
Lt. Gov. Jay Collins
added, "Today, we pause to honor the lives lost, the heroes who ran toward danger, and the families forever changed on September 11, 2001. We remember the courage of first responders, the sacrifice of service members, and the resilience of a nation that refused to be broken. May we never forget—and may we always stand united in faith, freedom, and love of country."
U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) also honored the victims of the attack.
"September 11, 2001 was one of the darkest days in our nation’s history. We can #NeverForget what happened that day, the lives we lost, the bravery of law enforcement and first responders, and the sacrifice of the men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our nation," Moskowitz said.
U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) added, "On the 24th anniversary of 9/11, I reflect on my time spent at Ground Zero with the Florida Task Force II created when I was Miami’s Fire Chief," Gimenez
said. "Today, we honor the victims & the selfless first responders who risked their lives to save others."
