(GULF COAST, FL.) – Where were you when the world stopped turning twenty-five years ago? Do you remember the events of September 11th, 2001?
Alan Jackson had a hit song asking this question after the attacks of that day. “Did you stand there in shock, did you shout out in anger for your neighbor, or did you just break down and cry?” The attacks of that day had me going to a recruiter for the Army the next day.
I joined the Army and vowed to fight for my country. One year later I was in combat in Iraq. I would have three total combat tours to Iraq and one more to Afghanistan.
Gulf Coast Weekly asked residents of Pensacola how they commemorate/remember 9-11 and asked if they felt 9-11 should be a federal holiday.
Patty Chavis stated that, “I think it should be a National Day of Mourning and reflection. Don't close anything. Don't take off work. Just have it all over the news and social media all day and night. All the footage. All the coverage. Remembering, praising, teaching, learning.”
Dione Herbert responded, “For me, 9/11 is a day of reflection regarding the tragedies that occurred. It does not need to be a holiday. I think it should be a day of collective remembrance for the country, and commemoration for the first responders on the scene and the brave passenger heroes on United Airlines flight 93 who saved lives because of their actions aboard that plane.”
Sharon Harmon, another Pensacola resident, said, “I will go to daily mass for extra prayers.”
Many residents feel that the day after 9-11 is the day that should be remembered. They feel that it showed how strong we were as a country, coming together. The first responders were recognized in many of the comments as well as local law enforcement, and the personnel at the hospitals in Manhattan, New York.
Ly Nguyen went on to say, “I call it the Second Day that will live in infamy (after the December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor attack being the first). God bless all the heroes and victims, plus all the men and women that had to deploy and redeploy (and extend deployments) to defend us.”
Photo Credit: James Borchard t/ All United States will be lowered “half-staff” from dusk to dawn on September 11, 2026, to honor Patriots Day and in remembrance of September 11, 2001.
Although there are scheduled events, many residents stated they prefer to remember “in their own way” and others stated that they want to “forget that day.”
Nanci Newhall noted that, “Escambia Home Brewers and Seville are hosting Beer Fest and Honor 9-11 Victims and our 30-year Anniversary as a Brew Club, and support Big Brothers and Big Sisters and other Charities. There is a Family we bow our heads to the horrors of 9-11. We have many vets in our Club.”
If you choose to attend an event, Pensacola and Santa Rosa have ceremonies scheduled to observe. Listed below are times and locations.
Pensacola
National Naval Aviation Museum (1750 Radford Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32508) Friday, September 11, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The 25th anniversary program will feature guest speakers, musical performances by Pensacola Strings, and a choir.
NAS Pensacola Navy MWR Pensacola is hosting a community walk to honor the heroes and victims of September 11, 2001, scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 1:00 PM.
Santa Rosa
The Santa Rosa County Firefighters’ Association will hold a special 9/11 commemorative event on Friday, September 11, 2026, in conjunction with the City of Milton’s Bands on the Blackwater concert. Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, starting at 6:45 p.m. on the stage, immediately before the concert. City of Milton’s Bands on the Blackwater site, Willing Street, Milton, FL 32570.
VFW Post 4833 will have a moment of silence and lowering of the United States Flag at 7:00 a.m. 5918 Carrol Road, Milton FL 32583.
To add events or correct information in this report, please contact me at james.b@lead4earth.org.
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