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Organizers prepare service for Sept. 11
By RYAN DAVIS, Times Staff Writer NEW PORT RICHEY -- Local officials are looking to turn Sims Park on Sept. 11 into an epicenter of patriotism with hundreds of candles, flags and speakers who visited New York a year earlier. "There's still some fear out there," said state Rep. Heather Fiorentino, R-New Port Richey, who is coordinating the event. "We need to unite and, most certainly, remember." The memorial service will begin at 7 p.m. Speakers will include New Port Richey police Officer Ken Petrillo and Pasco County sheriff's Deputy Ken Petrillo, a father-son duo who assisted in New York after the attacks, and Kathleen Stanton, who was on the 90th floor when the second World Trade Center tower was hit. Her nephew volunteers at Fiorentino's office. There will also be a slide show of pictures taken by a Pasco County volunteer firefighter who said he helped rescue workers at ground zero, Fiorentino said. About 20 people -- including county and local fire rescue workers, Pasco County sheriff's officials and retired New York firefighters -- met Tuesday morning at the New Port Richey library to continue planning the event. They said they hope to draw support from other organizations that might be planning smaller events. "Rather than have a whole bunch of things, it's better to have everything combined into one," said retired New York City fire battalion chief John Birmingham, who lives in west Pasco. Birmingham said the Knights of Columbus in Port Richey plan to line U.S. 19 with American flags. Fiorentino said she has invited Gov. Jeb Bush, Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan and Gen. Tommy Franks, who directs the U.S. and coalition forces searching for remaining al-Qaida and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. She said she does not know if they will attend. Her office will also ask if jets from MacDill Air Force Base can fly by the ceremony. -- Ryan Davis can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6245, or toll-free at 800-333-7505, ext. 6245. His e-mail address is rdavis@sptimes.com.
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From today's Pasco Times Editorial Letters |
