Marco Island unveils 9/11 memorial at fire station to commemorate 25th anniversary

Marco Island commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with the unveiling of a permanent memorial at Fire Station 50 on San Marco Road, created by fire crews as a place of reflection for the community. Bagpipes played during the ceremony, as the city emphasized the importance of ensuring the words "never forget" remain a lasting sentiment. "We're so proud to have this on Marco Island. It's a gift to first responders from the Marco Island community," Marco Island Fire Chief Chris Byrne said. Anthony Ferraro, a retired FDNY lieutenant who was at Ground Zero on 9/11, attended the tribute. "Once I see those towers up like that, it definitely brings back memories," Ferraro said. He also praised the memorial, saying, "The way they did this monument was amazing. And it really pays a good tribute to the nearly 3,000 people that were lost that day." Family and friends of loved ones lost on 9/11 laid flowers at the memorial as the names of the victims were read aloud. The memorial is open to the public. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.