- March 16, 2025
The Coastal Florida Police and Fire Pipes and Drum band plays down Granada Plaza in remembrance of 9/11 on Tuesday, Sept. 11. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Coastal Florida Police and Fire Pipes and Drum band plays inside Ocean Art Gallery in remembrance of 9/11 on Tuesday, Sept. 11. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ocean Art Gallery owner Frank Gromling speaks in remembrance of 9/11 on Tuesday, Sept. 11. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey speaks in remembrance of 9/11 on Tuesday, Sept. 11. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Palm Coast resident Ed Siarkowicz speaks in remembrance of 9/11 on Tuesday, Sept. 11. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Coastal Florida Police and Fire Pipes and Drum band plays down Granada Plaza in remembrance of 9/11 on Tuesday, Sept. 11. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ocean Art Gallery held a 9/11 remembrance event on the 17th-anniversary of the New York terrorist attacks that shook the nation in 2001.
The program, titled "We Will Not Forget," featured short speeches by Gallery Owner Frank Gromling, Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey and Palm Coast resident and artist Ed Siarkowicz. The Coastal Florida Pipes and Drum performed "Amazing Grace" as part of the ceremony. At the program's closing, the group marched and played down Granada Plaza.
Gromling said people must remain vigilant in today's age. In the 17 years since the attacks, the number of remembrance ceremonies has dwindled.
"It's our commitment to the country and to this community that the events of 9/11, especially the brave acts by police, fire, emergency personnel and regular citizens in many cases, may never be forgotten," Gromling said.
Siarkowicz closed his speech by mentioning his father's best friend, New York Firefighter Battalion Commander Larry Stack, who died in the collapse of the second tower. Services like these are incredibly important, he said, because as time passes, people tend to forget.
"We need to keep those memories alive," Siarkowicz said.
