He's the main speaker at the evening event that will honor terrorism victims.
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Published September 11, 2003
NEW PORT RICHEY - Gov. Jeb Bush will take center stage tonight at a Sept. 11 memorial service in Sims Park, joining the slate of speakers honoring those who died in the terrorist attacks.
The 7 p.m. service also will feature prayers from local clergy, patriotic music from the Richey Concert Band and songs from the choruses at Gulf High School and Chasco and Marlow elementary schools.
State Rep. Heather Fiorentino, R-New Port Richey, said she has been persistent in her efforts to invite the governor to the event. Fiorentino serves on the memorial committee with representatives of county and city agencies, veterans groups and other community organizations.
"I've been asking (Bush), "Please come to ours,' " Fiorentino said Wednesday. "I told him he really missed a nice memorial last year."
The other speakers this year include Jim Marus and Richard Keller, both recently retired New York City police officers who responded after the attacks on the World Trade Center; and Lt. Colonel Brad Reinert, acting commander of the 6th Maintenance Group at MacDill Air Force Base.
Also at the event, Operation Shoebox will have a tent to collect donations for the troops stationed overseas. The group's Web site, www.operationshoebox.us lists suggested donations, such as granola bars, cans of tuna or chicken salad, CDs, books, disposable cameras, hand lotion and deodorant.
Several schools already have collected dozens of boxes full of donations, Fiorentino said.
"We've got a lot of kids involved in this, so it's teaching them a good patriotic lesson," Fiorentino said. "We've all been touched by this. Even though the wound is healing, it's constantly healing."
Bush's appearance in New Port Richey will be his second stop of the day. First, he will go to Daytona Beach, where he will visit the "Stars and Stripes" exhibit at the Halifax Historical Museum and dine with firefighters at the city's oldest station.
On the menu: three-alarm chili, corn bread and iced tea.
The governor's speech at Sims Park will center on the sacrifice of all Americans touched by the terrorist attacks, spokeswoman Alia Faraj said.
"This is a chance for the governor to remember those who lost their lives, to thank the Floridians who helped during this very difficult time, to thank our everyday heroes - police officers and first responders who serve every single day on the streets - and of course to honor all our servicemen and women who are currently serving and representing our country in the fight for freedom," Faraj said.
