September 11, 2001, is a day that will be etched in the memories of Americans for generations to come. For residents of Hernando, Pasco, and Citrus Counties, the tragedy was felt just as deeply, even though they were hundreds of miles away from the Twin Towers in Manhattan. Debbie Carbone, a local resident, shared her personal account of the day, which was particularly close to her heart. Her family was living in Huntington, Long Island, N.Y., at the time, just 37 miles from the Twin Towers.
“It was so eerie,” Carbone recalled. Her friend Lou lost his son Jake, who worked at Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor in the North Tower. Another friend’s uncle, Dennis, also perished in the tragedy. The local church in Huntington lost 24 parishioners, adding to the heartache felt by so many families. Carbone remembered that in the weeks and months following the tragedy, people came together, enjoying each other’s company and grieving for the lost like a big family.
David Zeller, a Weeki Wachee resident, also shared his experience of witnessing the tragedy unfold. On a sunny morning, while watching the Today Show before work, he heard the news that something had hit Tower 1. Living in Leonardo, NJ, just 13 miles from New York City, Zeller watched in horror as the towers went up in flames and eventually collapsed. The images of that day are forever etched in his memory.
As the local community reflects on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, residents are encouraged to share their own stories and memories of that fateful day. The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and other local agencies will hold a memorial service to honor the victims of the tragedy. Residents can also share their thoughts and reflections on social media using the hashtag #911Reflection.
- September 11, 2001, is a day that will be remembered for generations to come.
- Local residents Debbie Carbone and David Zeller shared their personal accounts of the tragedy.
- A memorial service will be held to honor the victims of 9/11.
Originally reported by Hernando Sun
Sources: Hernando Sun
