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Sept. 11 Anniversary Remembered In S. Fla. Tributes

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) — South Floridians paused Tuesday to remember the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

In Broward County, authorities  held a memorial service in Fort Lauderdale.

The Patriot Day Memorial Service began Tuesday morning eleven years after the attacks.

"I was working in new yrok as a paramedic in New York City," said Jason Friedman. "I was there just in time to watch the south tower collapse. I lost six friends of mine too, from our department. It could have been something different 11 years ago but can't look at it that way. It wasn't my time, my purpose in life is maybe yet to be discovered."

Sheriff's deputies and fire rescue officials wore a tribute badge on their uniforms to honor the 343 FDNY, 23 NYPD and 37 Port Authority Police Department heroes who died in the line of duty 11 years ago.

A piece of steel from the World Trade Center was presented to the Broward Sheriff's Office in 2008 by the United Retired Firefighters Association and remains on display at the Public Safety Building as part of the 9/11 tribute.

After the ceremony, authorities dedicated the Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Memorial Wall in the lobby of the Public Safety Building.

The wall will serve as an additional way to honor the ultimate sacrifice of Broward's fallen firefighters and paramedics.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials also honored those who lost their lives on 9/11 by memorializing a piece of a steel beam from the World Trade Center collapse.

The ceremony took place in the front MDFR "Heroes of September 11" Station #3 located at 3911 SW 82 Avenue.

In 2009, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey began authorizing the release of artifacts from the WTC collapse to various agencies with the condition that they'd be displayed in a memorial.  MDFR was fortunate to be granted two pieces of steel.  The first piece of steel was put on display at MDFR headquarters in Doral for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Tuesday's ceremony was held in front of Station #3 followed by the unveiling of the second piece of steel for permanent display as a part of "Heroes of September 11" memorial.

This piece of history will be located in front of the station allowing everyone in the community an opportunity to view and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

In June 2002 this station was dedicated to the 343 FDNY firefighters that perished in the twin towers collapse.

Station #3 houses the only two red fire units with FDNY marking within the MDFR fleet.

"Also lost a personal friend, this day means a lot," said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, who was working as a firefighter in South Florida on 9/11. "It's important cause we can never let our guard down."

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