GREEN COVE SPRINGS – U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean said what everyone was thinking on the 25^th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

“If you ask me what I had for lunch last week, I would probably struggle,” he said at the Rotary Club of Orange Park Sunrise’s Flags for Heroes ceremony. “But just like every single person in this room, with the exception of a few that are a little bit younger. If you ask me about that morning, Sept. 11th, I could almost tell you, hour by hour, how it unfolded.”

Orange Park Sunrise, in conjunction with other Rotary Clubs in Clay County, provided challenge coins to the families and friends to honor military members and first responders at the Board of County Commissioners’ Meeting Room. The event not only supported nonprofit causes for the organization, but it was also a way to show respect for those who put their lives on the line to protect the nation.

Bean talked of the horrific attacks and the significance of the terrorists’ targets.

“Twenty-five years ago, exactly this morning, the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil occurred, killing 2,977 of our fellow Americans,” he said. “Fueled by hate, darkness, and evil, Islamic terrorist, hijacked and weaponized commercial airlines, turning them into suicidal missiles.

“The terrorist aimed at the heart of American exceptionalism. Two planes hit the World Trade Center, a symbol of leading capitalism and limitless economic opportunity seen by the rest of the world. One hit the Pentagon, our nation's headquarters for our military might and patriotic service. And one was most likely headed for the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., aiming for the People's House, symbolizing “We the People of our Constitutional Republic.”

Flags for Heroes preceded a march along Palmetto Avenue and Walnut Street by nearly 100 members of Clay County Fire Rescue, the sheriff’s office and members of the Green Cove Springs and Orange Park police departments from the county administration building to Spring Park. They were met by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other dignitaries for another program to honors those who perished 25 years earlier.

“What the terrorists didn't realize that day, and the days after, is that they would never bring America and American people to our knees,” Bean said. “On 9/11, we all saw the unbelievable acts of heroism, from law enforcement, first responders and everyday Americans who ran into the fire to save their fellow countrymen and women.

“Many sacrificed their lives in the course of duty. You saw flags on every block and building, and tremendous acts of community service, with neighbor helping neighbor – simply because they were fellow Americans. Our country was more unified on Sept. 12th than any other day in modern history.”

The program ended with what’s become the rallying phrase from that fateful day: “Never Forget.”