Sunday, Sep. 07, 2008

Manatee set to observe anniversary on 9/11

Manatee County will commemorate the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001:

THURSDAY

• Tribute to Heroes Memorial Service, 9-10 a.m. at the Emergency Services Memorial in Rossi Park in downtown Bradenton. This event will pay tribute to everyone who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks. The memorial service also will honor those who risk their lives every day to protect the community.

Participants can listen to guest speakers and witness a dove release and wreath presentation.

The event is free and open to the public.

• Tribute to Heroes Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. in the Bradenton City Centre in downtown Bradenton. Guest speaker will be Al Fuentes, who is retired from the Fire Department of the City of New York.

Tickets are $30 each, with proceeds going to the Emergency Services Memorial Fund. The Manatee County Fire Chiefs Association established the fund for the families of local emergency workers who are killed or seriously wounded in the line of duty.

To purchase tickets, visit the Manatee Chamber of Commerce at 222 10th St. W. in Bradenton or call Cheryl Richert at 748-4842, ext. 115.

• Manatee County's Second 9-11 Remembrance Ride, 6:15 p.m. A 40-mile drive throughout the county, the Remembrance Ride is a tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11 and the men and women of the armed forces.

The free ride is open to all motorcycle clubs. Registration is free and goes from 5 to 6 p.m. at Manatee River Harley-Davidson, 624 67th St. Circle E. in Bradenton. The ride will leave from the dealership, and all riders will receive black armbands to wear. Commemorative patches will be for sale.

The public is welcome to cheer the riders from along the route, and the tribute will continue after the ride ends at Wing House on 14th Street West.

To view the route or for registration forms or further information, visit ewingk@manateeschools.netwww.911remembranceride.com.

• Manatee Technical Institute's annual fall blood drive, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the school's main campus, 5603 34th St. W., Bradenton. The bloodmobile will be in front of the administration building.

The blood drive is in partnership with Florida Blood Services, and the Florida Aquarium is the sponsor. All donors will receive a Preserve Our Species T-shirt and a buy-one-get-one-free coupon to the aquarium good for up to six people.

For more information, contact Kelly Ewing at 751-7900, ext. 2041 or ewingk@manateeschools.net .

• Braden River Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12055 will have a flag-raising for students and faculty at Freedom Elementary School's Let Freedom Ring Courtyard at 8:30 a.m. The school is at 9515 State Road 64 E.

• East Manatee Fire Rescue at 9 a.m. will remember the victims of 9/11 with a program for faculty and students at Manatee Technical Institute, Lakewood Ranch.

• Sarasota will have an observance at 8:30 a.m. at the East Avenue entrance to Payne Park. Sarasota Police Chief Peter J. Abbott will discuss his experience as a New York City police officer in Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2001. The sheriff's office will conduct a helicopter flyover during the ceremony and will continue westward to the Gulf of Mexico, where a wreath will be placed remembering those whose lives were lost.

• A playground will be built at Norma Lloyd Park in Bradenton from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. To volunteer, call 744-2362.

FRIDAY

• Tribute to Heroes Bash, 7 p.m.-midnight at Sarasota Bradenton International Convention Center, 8005 15th St. E., Sarasota. The convention center is next to the airport.

The Dr. Dave Band will provide live music, food will be free and drinks will be for sale. A donation of $10 will get you into the event.

For reservations or more information, call 224-4825.