In a deeply moving and patriotic tribute, the City of Miami Springs came together on Friday, September 11, 2026, to remember, reflect, and honor the lives lost and the incredible heroes who answered the call twenty-five years ago on September 11, 2001.
Marking the milestone 25th anniversary of 9/11, community members, municipal leaders, first responders, and local veterans gathered at the First Responder Appreciation Monument along the Westward Drive median to pay tribute to the nearly 3,000 victims who perished, as well as the brave first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The ceremony featured a lineup of speakers who shared poignant messages of unity, sacrifice, and the enduring resilience of the nation. Speakers included Miami Springs Mayor Walter Fajet, Miami Springs Police Chief Albert Sandoval, CAO for the Miami Springs Police Department Ariadna Miranda, Chaplain Emilio Chaviano, and retired Coral Gables Fire Department Captain Thad Ovcarich.
The presentation of colors was executed with absolute dignity by the joint Miami Springs and Virginia Gardens Police Department Honor Guard, adding a solemn visual reminder of the duty and bravery that characterizes our local first responders.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department staff was highly praised for their exceptional work in organizing the morning’s beautiful ceremony, which assuredly sparked deep reflection and a renewed sense of municipal solidarity among everyone in attendance. In addition, city employees and attendees donned red, white, and blue in a colorful and moving display of national unity.
Twenty-five years later, the Miami Springs community continues to stand tall, proving that we will never forget.
