Hundreds participate in 9/11 memorial run in Pasco County

WESLEY CHAPELL, Fla. (WFLA) – A special 9/11 memorial was held on Saturday morning as the anniversary of the terror attacks on our nation approaches.

This is the sixth year the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel has put on the running event.

The American Flag was displayed, heads were bowed, and people saluted the flag.

Hundreds of people came out to honor those lives taken all those years ago and the heroes killed in the tragedy that is known as 9/11.

It is a day that forever changed the country, and a time people will never forget where they were when the towers, and Pentagon, were hit.

“I remember exactly where I was, I was driving on 275 in Tampa, and I heard it on the radio what happened,” said runner Caroline Gipe.

“Growing up in the timeframe where 9/11 happened when I was towards the end of elementary school, I remember it pretty vividly,” stated Trooper Steven Turner.

The Rotary Club vowed to make sure the community will continue to honor those who never made it out.

“I’m a retired New York police officer, I retired in 2002, moved down to Florida shortly after,” said Chris Casella, event organizer and former Rotary Club Wesley Chapel President. “When I came into the Rotary Club at Wesley Chapel, we noticed that there was a really big void in honoring and remembering and remembering 9/11.”

Casella said this event is held to remember all those fallen heroes and to put a spotlight on our local ones; like Trooper Steven Turner, who was shot in the line of duty.

“February 4th of ’23 wasn’t exactly a great day for me, but it was coming out to do my job, and that’s what we sign up for,” Trooper Turner said.

The other goal, Castella said, is to take care of the future of the community.

“So, all of the proceeds, 100% of the proceeds from this 5K, and the memorial mile, will be going to graduating seniors that want to take a career as a first responder or in the health field,” he said.

With every single runner that crossed the finish line, they made a promise to never forget those lives taken on 9/11.

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