Hundreds of people descended upon Winter Haven's Central Park Sunday to honor first responders and pay tribute to the people who lost their lives during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
- Winter Haven Honoring Our Heroes Event
- Featured Some Gave All traveling memorial
The seventh annual "Honoring Our Heroes" event was coordinated by the Polk County Veteran's Council and the Winter Haven Police department.
Sheriff Grady Judd was the guest speaker.
- RELATED
The event kicked off with a Freedom Walk, each step symbolizing the sacrifices first responders make every day. The walk was led by the Winter Haven High School Army ROTC honor guard.
Throughout the day, people visited the "Some Gave All" traveling memorial that lists the names of service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan and people who died on 9/11.
“I was amazed for one thing that they took the time to do that tribute," said Furman Gerald, who saw the memorial. "And it’s very, very thorough for you know Desert Storm, 9/11 and the other conflicts that they have there. It’s beautifully done.”
Edwin Cotto, who lived in New York City for many years, said the display hit close to home. Several of his friends died in the attacks.
"I felt anger a lot until I started going to church and reading the scriptures and learning I can't hold that hate, you know?" Cotto said. "Because one small group of people did something, I can't blame them all."
The event also featured a boot display in the park, honoring each Polk County law enforcement officer, service member or firefighter who died in the line of duty.
Karen Keel was glad to see her friend's son, Army Staff Sgt. John Reiners, was included. He was killed while serving in Afghanistan.
"It's heartbreaking because I know his mama's heart is broke too," said Karen Keel. "It was his third tour over there and I want my grandkids to know its not easy out there. There's mean people in this world and there's people out there to protect our freedoms so we can come out and celebrate."