CITY OF ROCKLEDGE TO HOST ANNUAL 9/11 REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY
Rockledge, Fla. -- On Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at 6:00 p.m., the City of Rockledge will host its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the new Rockledge Civic Hub, 530 Barton Boulevard (directly east of Rockledge City Hall). It is anticipated that the event will not last longer than one hour.
The Remembrance Ceremony, which is designed to honor the victims, survivors, and first responders of September 11, 2001, will feature two very special guest speakers who have a distinct connection to 9/11. Each speaker is sure to bring a unique and personal perspective with regard to the events that occurred on that day.
The concept for the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony was introduced in 2016 by Rockledge City Councilman Duane Daski in an effort to ensure that children and young adults are educated and informed about the significance of 9/11 and the profound effect it had on our nation. This year commemorates the 18th anniversary of the heinous attack.
The inaugural 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony was held on September 10, 2016, at Fire Station No. 37 (also known as Fire Station No. 3), 3500 Murrell Road. In 2017, the event had to be canceled because of Hurricane Irma.
Of note, located at Station No. 37 is the Rockledge 9/11 Memorial. In 2013, the City acquired a piece of steel from the World Trade Center, and that symbolic steel has been placed as a reminder to pay homage to the lives that were lost on that tragic day. The Rockledge 9/11 Memorial was dedicated on September 11, 2013.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS
Master Sgt. (Ret) Herbert Darren “Herb” Joiner, U.S. Air Force
Herbert Darren “Herb” Joiner enlisted in the Air Force in March 1982 and served as a Security Specialist prior to serving as a Communications Specialist. Between 1992 and 1995, he was deployed to Saudi Arabia numerous times. From 1995 to 2005, he was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base and flew distinguished visitors on the G3, G4 and G5 aircraft. He then flew Air Force One with Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Sgt. Joiner has the unique distinction of placing every call from Air Force One for President Bush on September 11, 2001.
Rear Adm. (Ret) Wayne E. Justice, U.S. Coast Guard
Wayne Justice was elected to the Canaveral Port Commission in November 2014 from District 3 for a four-year term that began in January 2015. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a Master of Science from both Nova University Southeast and the Naval War College. Having served 37 years in the Coast Guard, mostly on cutters conducting search and rescue, counter drug and illegal migrant patrols, he retired as a two star Admiral. Currently, he serves as a maritime consultant, expert witness and community volunteer.