In their honor: 9/11 heros come to Saint Leo for a day of remembrance

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By Elijah Penn, Staff Writer

“We look up, we hear the floors collapsing on top of each other—and that was the North Tower collapsing. He ran under and was killed. I ran the other way, and I lived.” Retired New York firefighter, Stephen Spelman retold the story of how he had escaped with his life on that fateful day, Sept. 11, 2001.

It was 2017 when a friend and fellow survivor asked Spelman to share his story at a military museum in Groveport, Ohio. As a “thank you,” Spelman was presented with a piece of a ladder from one of the firetrucks buried beneath the rubble of the World Trade Towers. It was then that he made it his mission to keep the history and memories alive for future generations. “I’ve taken that on the road … to make sure we never forget our brothers that were killed and the 2,977 victims that were murdered that day.” The precise number comes easily to him, clearly well-engraved into his memory. It was this mission that brought him to Saint Leo University.

In memory of those who lost their lives during the terrorist attack on 9/11, Saint Leo University worked with Spelman to host the “In Their Honor” event on the morning of September 8. The event featured several notable guest speakers, from local politicians to survivors of the 9/11 attacks.

But speeches weren’t the only thing this event had to offer. At 7:30 a.m., spectators gathered outside the Wellness Center to cheer on runners who participated in the 5K, which directly benefited several charitable organizations that help first responders and military veterans.

Thomas DeLuca, the Master of Ceremonies for the event, is the Executive Director for one of the charities, Pasco Patriot Association, which is a coalition of seven local charities. “We’re largely by veteran, for veteran; by first responder, for first responder,” DeLuca said.

At exactly 8:46 a.m., the moment the first plane struck the North Tower, DeLuca had the honor of announcing the next event. He directed the audience to the skies into the space above the Wellness Center as excited conversation rippled through the crowd.

Thomas DeLuca announces the Flying Flags performance outside the Wellness Center. (Photo was taken by Elijah Penn)

Runners braved the Florida humidity to support the charities benefited by the organization. (Photo was taken by Elijah Penn)

Cayman Garcia passes by the photos of 9/11 firefighters and Pasco County Fire Department vehicles as he approaches the finish line. (Photo was taken by Elijah Penn)

A small plane was hardly visible in the gray clouds, but soon the first parachutist could be seen in the mist. Two others appeared shortly after, one streaking red smoke against the clouds, as flags streamed under the second—the full colors of the American flag growing brighter as they drifted closer to the crowd below. As the parachutists’ feet touched land, the audience applauded wildly.

“I’ve done it more than 2,000 times now, and I’ll tell you, it never gets old,” Rian Kanouff, a skydiver with the Skydive First Project, remarked. “[The jump] was amazing … and the lake and the University looked incredible.” Skydive First Project is an “adventure therapy program” that uses skydiving to treat PTSD, severe depression, and high anxiety.

“Every year it is a true honor to get in the sky and honor that day, 9/11, the people we lost—not just civilians, but the heroes that gave their lives,” Kanouff said, rolling up his parachute. “God bless America.”

The skydiver’s red smoke highlighted the show in the air as they artfully sailed through the sky and landed gracefully in the field below. (Photo was taken by Elijah Penn)

The flying flags show comes to an end as the last skydivers stick the landing in front of the cheering crowd. (Photo was taken by Elijah Penn)

DeLuca directed the crowd inside to hear the guest speakers. Saint Leo University president Jim Burkee spoke, followed by state and local office holders: Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Pasco County District Two Commissioner Seth Weightman, and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ Chief of Staff, Bob Hatfield.

As well as, Retired New York firefighters and 9/11 survivors Stephen Spelman and Dominick Maggiori, as well as veteran U.S. Army Special Forces Lt. Col. Perry Blackburn, one of the first service members on the ground in Afghanistan following 9/11, and Craig Gross, the founder of Gold Star Awareness Inc.

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Wilton Simpson gives a speech about the importance of unity. (Photo was taken by Elijah Penn)

The crowd listens as Stephen Spelman retells the story of when he survived the collapse of the World Trade Center. (Photo was taken by Elijah Penn)

For all these speakers, one message was clear: 9/11 should never be forgotten. The events that 9/11 survivor, Dominick Maggiori, witnessed made history real to him: “Pearl Harbor was just history on a page. 9/11 made Pearl Harbor real to me. I could appreciate it because it was real.”

“It’s a somber day, a somber remembrance, but what we remember is we came together as proud Americans, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Let us not forget that,” said Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman.

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