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A Piece of New York in Ybor City to Remember 9/11

A steel beam from the second World Trade Center Tower is the centerpiece of the "Fearless Champions" sculpture which now stands by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in Ybor City. It was designed by artist Becky Ault to honor the first responders and survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks 13 years ago."The sacrifice and patriotism September 11th inspired in our country can never be allowed to fade, no matter distance nor passing of time," emcee Don Germaise said. 

The keynote speaker was retired Navy Captain Jeff Cathey, and he said it is appropriate to have the sculpture right by the sheriff's office.

The bell was rung at the times the two World Trade Center towers were struck
Credit Yoselis Ramos / WUSF News
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WUSF News
The bell was rung at the times the two World Trade Center towers were struck

"This steel guard from Tower 2 is a great representation of the back bone of this country," he said. "It's fitting that it resides right here in Hillborough County amongst you, our first line of defense for American way of life."The dedication ceremony included moments of silence at the same time the towers were struck on a similar morning in 2001. It included musical pieces by the Idlewild Baptist Symphony and the Tampa Bay Children's Choir. The ceremony ended with a patriotic wreath placed on the memorial in remembrance of Hillsborough Fire Rescue Captain's brother, Richard Muldowney Jr., who died that day as a New York firefighter.  

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Tampa Bay Children's Choir
Yoselis Ramos / WUSF News
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WUSF News
Tampa Bay Children's Choir

The wreath is in memory of New York Firefighter and Hillsborough Fire Rescue Captain's brother, Richard Muldowney Jr.
Yoselis Ramos / WUSF News
/
WUSF News
The wreath is in memory of New York Firefighter and Hillsborough Fire Rescue Captain's brother, Richard Muldowney Jr.

About 300 people attended the ceremony Thursday morning.
Yoselis Ramos /
About 300 people attended the ceremony Thursday morning.

The bell was rung at the times the two World Trade Center towers were struck.
Yoselis Ramos / WUSF News
/
WUSF News
The bell was rung at the times the two World Trade Center towers were struck.

Yoselis Ramos joined WUSF in Fall 2010 as a student intern. She's reported on various Tampa Bay stories ranging from transportation issues such as bicycle safety, to keeping up with public forums and city/county official meetings, to the exciting things happening right in your neighborhood.