15th anniversary of 9/11: Never Forget

Headline Surfer photo / A 1995 display photo of the late Arty Pommerantz, a Pulitzer-photo-journalism finalist who had retired from the New York Post when he presented the image to Henry Frederick, at that time a metro reporter covering cops & courts for The Journal-News of Rockland, Westchester & Putnam counties in West Nyack, NY., before taking a similar job with the Daytona Beach News-Journal for nearly a decade before launching the internet news outlet in 2008.

"Our country has come together to rebuild a monument, but this will never eliminate the pain and suffering endured by everyone involved." Anita Bradford told Headline Surfer on the eve of the anniversary. "There are many lives that have continued to be shattered due to 9-11. We have family and close friends who are still suffering from PTSD and other elements because of their dedication and honor to help those in need."

Added her husband, Wendell Bradford, a retired Seminole County sheriff's deputy, "May God bless all the men and women who stepped forward to help countless victims. Bless the families who have lost loved ones and help them through this sad day of remembrance. They may have taken our towers, but they will never take our dignity, honor and respect." 

Headline Surfer decided to lead off its story of remembrance of 9/11 and the internet news provider's continuing theme "Never Forget" with the Bradfords of Deltona because of their ongoing commitments to public service and charitable works locally.

"Our country has come together to rebuild a monument, but this will never eliminate the pain and suffering endured by everyone involved." Anita Bradford told Headline Surfer on the eve of the anniversary. " There are many lives that have continued to be shattered due to 9-11. We have family and close friends who are still suffering from PTSD and other elements because of their dedication and honor to help those in need."

Added her husband, Wendell Bradford, a retired Seminole County sheriff's deputy, "May God bless all the men and women who stepped forward to help countless victims. Bless the families who have lost loved ones and help them through this sad day of remembrance. They may have taken our towers, but they will never take our dignity, honor and respect." 

Headline Surfer decided to lead off its story of remembrance of 9/11 and the internet news provider's continuing theme "Never Forget" with the Bradfords of Deltona because of their ongoing commitments to public service and charitable works locally.

Anita Bradford is running for a seat on the Deltona City Commission in the Nov. 8 general elections and Wendell Bradford, who retired from the Seminole County Sheriff's Office as a deputy earlier this year, ran for Sheriff of Volusia County, finishing fourth among five candidates in the Aug. 30 primary. Both have been active for years in charity events and civic causes in Volusia and Seminole counties.

Photos for Headline Surfer / Shirley Dacenzo, aoke today on the 15th anniversary of 9/11 to see an Amewrican flag on her flagpole in front of her Daytona Beach home. It was a year and a day ago that her husband, Robert Dacenzo Sr. died. So seeing the American flag flying outside her beachside home made her day more pleasant.

For Daytona Beach resident Shirley Dacenzo, widowed since Sept. 12 of last year, the 15th anniversary of 9/11 -- a year and a day after her husband, Robert Dacenzo Sr.,  died after an illness -- she awoke this morning to a pleasant surprise that made her day more far less depressing.

"How awesome is this?" asked Dacenzo, 53, a dining room hostess with Volusia County Schools. "I woke up this morning with an American Flag on my flag pole outside. My neighbor's husband put it up. I couldn't believe it - it brought tears to my eyes."

Dacenzo, reflected on the day terrorism struck American soil in an apocalyptic fashion.

"I was getting ready for a short weather update at 8:55 a.m. when the network coverage abruptly changed to talk of a 'small' plane hitting the World Trade Center," she recalled. Cameras caught the second jet hitting the second tower and I just remember being stunned that this was really happening."

Dacenzo said that moment in time is etched in her memory, a decade-and-a-half later.

"Every time I see (footage replayed) of that second plane, I am overcome with emotion and get goosebumps," Dacenzo said. "I will never forget that day and the way we all felt as we watched this tragedy unfold right before our eyes. Rest in peace to all of those who lost their lives and pray for the people that have lost a loved one 15 years ago today. We will never forget."

Related Coverage