SPC remembered and honored 9/11 with college-wide events paying tribute and respect to the heroes who lost their lives, celebrating the resilience of our community, and creating meaningful dialogue.
Each campus remembered 9/11 through moments of silence, student presentations, flag-planting ceremonies, and honoring our local first responders.
The Center for Civic Learning & Community Engagement co-sponsored the Warehouse Arts District Association and Urban Stillhouse’s two-day 9/11 event collaboration that included a showing of the 12 Strong war drama based on true events, following a Special Forces team (Horse Soldiers) sent to Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks.
Saturday’s events included a showing of “12 Strong” followed by a Q&A with Horse Soldier Team Member and LtCol USAF (Ret) Jerry Lavely, who was deployed in response to the events of 9/11. This opportunity will provide the audience with a chance to engage, ask questions, and gain insight into the real-life events that inspired the gripping story.
Sunday’s events began with a ceremony surrounding the Rise Monument with a moving program that included speeches by community leaders and Armed Forces personnel, a color guard, the National Anthem, and an invocation.
After the ceremony, community members and students were invited to a “Flip the Script” Panel Discussion led by the audience, allowing attendees to actively participate in the conversation by sharing personal reflections, asking questions, and engaging in a collective exploration of the impact and significance of the tragic events of September 11.
SPC’s very own John Beggins, a retired officer with the NYPD, served on the panel, as did John Welch, an adjunct professor in SSBS. The panel was moderated by Jack Royer (News Channel 8 WFLA). Additional panelists: Arturo Jimenez-Bacardi (USF Int Relations & Political Science), Jerry Lavely (Horse Soldier Team Member/LtCol USAF (Ret).), Imam Abdullah Jaber (Executive Director CAIR-Florida).
The Sunscreen Film Festival, WUSF, Admiral Farragut, City of St. Petersburg, and Florida Arts Culture also served as co-sponsors.