- September 16, 2025
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Firefighter Jason Moore of Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue, Officer Alex Stevenson of USF Sarasota-Manatee and officer J.T. Shapiro of the Sarasota Police Department follow USF Alumnus Ross Allen on bagpipes as the flag raising begins.
Photo by Ian SwabyOfficer Alex Stevenson of USF Sarasota-Manatee carries the flag.
Photo by Ian SwabyFirefighter Jason Moore of Cedar Hammock and Officer Alex Stevenson of USF Sarasota-Manatee raise the flag to half-staff. Officer J.T. Shapiro of the Sarasota Police Department was also part of the ceremony.
Photo by Ian SwabyUSF Alumnus Ross Allen participates in the flag raising ceremony.
Photo by Ian SwabyMembers of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office perform the 21-gun salute.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe flag flies at half-staff after it is raised.
Photo by Ian SwabyU.S. Marine Corps, 4th Amphibian Assault Battalion Sgt. Steven Adames plays taps during the flag raising ceremony.
Photo by Ian SwabyWreaths are set out for the ceremony.
Photo by Ian SwabyTim Eaton and James Damoulakis of Braden River Brass perform during the ceremony.
Photo by Ian SwabyKristy Rispens and Julie Waters of Braden River Brass perform during the ceremony.
Photo by Ian SwabyCarlos Moreira, Director for Campus Engagement for Veteran Success at USF Sarasota-Manatee, addresses attendees.
Photo by Ian SwabyAlexandra Bennettson of Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School sings "The Star Spangled Banner."
Photo by Ian SwabyOfficer Aaron Homan of the Sarasota Police Department lays a wreath as Carlos Moreira, Director for Campus Engagement for Veteran Success at USF Sarasota-Manatee stands at the podium.
Photo by Ian SwabyShavon Clark Harris, representing emergency medical technicians and medical personnel, lays a wreath.
Photo by Ian SwabyStaff Sergeant Matthew B. Miles of the United States Army, representing all military personnel, lays a wreath.
Photo by Ian SwabyRichard Sellwood, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Offier of USF Credit Union, speaks at the event.
Photo by Ian SwabyEdward Grayson, 9/11 responder and former commissioner of the NYC Department of Sanitation, speaks at the event.
Photo by Ian SwabyInterim Regional Chancellor and Vice Provost Brett Kemker, speaks during the ceremony.
Photo by Ian SwabyOfficer J.T. Shapiro of the Sarasota Police Department and Carlos Moreira, Director for Campus Engagement for Veteran Success at USF Sarasota-Manatee stand by as Sergeant Major Enrique E. Alvarez of the United States Marine Corps reads "Old Glory."
Photo by Ian SwabyMilana Marcello and Sienna Thames of Saint Stephen's Episcopal School perform with the other students.
Photo by Ian SwabyChristian Heater and Ireland Patterson of Saint Stephen's Episcopal School perform with the other students.
Photo by Ian SwabyCarlos Moreira, Director for Campus Engagement for Veteran Success at USF Sarasota-Manatee, hands medals to Sabrina Davis, Natalie Andrade and Madeleine Dini of Saint Stephen's Episcopal School.
Photo by Ian SwabyCarlos Moreira, Director for Campus Engagement for Veteran Success and Alumni Affairs at USF Sarasota-Manatee gives a medal to Julian Coles of Saint Stephen's Episcopal School.
Photo by Ian SwabyCarlos Moreira, Director for Campus Engagement for Veteran Success at USF Sarasota-Manatee gives a medal to Julian Coles of Saint Stephen's Episcopal School.
Photo by Ian Swaby2,997 flags were planted in the courtyard at USF Sarasota-Manatee on Sept. 6.
Photo by Ian SwabyEdward Grayson recounted a scene of total devastation at the site of the World Trade Center after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
A sanitation worker at the time, the former commissioner of the NYC Department of Sanitation was among the thousands of responders who performed recovery operations at Ground Zero.
"There was no safe haven. There was no place to shield your eyes, and you were already heartbroken having had to go there at all," he told attendees during the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.
Held the morning of Sept. 11 at the school's grand ballroom, the event also included other speakers, the laying of wreaths, and a choir performance by third graders from Saint Stephen's Episcopal School in Bradenton.
Grayson and other speakers urged attendees to never forget the events of that day, and the lives lost.
Another speaker, Richard Sellwood, who grew up in upstate New York, recounted watching as the second plane hit the South Tower.
Sellwood, who is now Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of USF Credit Union, discussed how he studied the impact of 9/11 for his senior project the next year.
"My family had many friends who lived and worked near Ground Zero," he said. "Listening to their stories, documenting their experiences, was profound and life-changing. It taught me that history is not just about events. It's about people, real people, and the ripple effects of loss, resilience and hope."
"Always remember the resolve of our country," Grayson said. "That the terrorists didn't win. That we do not live under the cloak of fear, and that we all gather in memory to honor true patriots who gave their lives on that fateful day."
The event was preceded by a flag-raising ceremony outdoors, as well as by the planting of 2,997 American flags in the campus courtyard on Sept. 6.
