By Marc R. Masferrer, University Communications and Marketing
On Sept. 11, 2001, Fire Department of New York Capt. John “Jack” McDonnell was on an annual golf outing about two hours from the city with about 40 friends and colleagues he made during his then-28-year firefighting career. His foursome was waiting to tee off when, at about 9 a.m., someone came out of the clubhouse to tell them the TV was reporting some awful news from New York.
“We saw the second plane hit, then said, ‘Let’s get back to the hotel to get our stuff so we can get back to the city,’” said McDonnell, who will be the featured speaker at the annual 9/11 commemoration event at USF Sarasota-Manatee at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 11.
By the time McDonnell, the captain for Ladder Company 24, based near Madison Square Garden in Midtown Manhattan, arrived at Ground Zero around noon, both towers had fallen. He joined in the search for survivors of the worst-ever terrorist attack in U.S. history.
John "Jack" McDonnell, a retired battalion chief with the Fire Department of New York, will be the featured speaker at the 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at USF Sarasota-Manatee on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
More than 2,750 people were killed in the attack on New York, including 343 firefighters, many of whom McDonnell knew.
“It was surreal. We were looking at over 20 acres of destruction at a location I was familiar with,” McDonnell said.
Organizer Carlos Moreira said the 9/11 ceremony highlights the continued importance of commemorating the lives lost on 9/11 and honoring the firefighters, police officers, paramedics and other first responders, as well as members of the military, for their service to their communities and to the nation.
“We will never forget the sacrifices made on Sept. 11, 2001, by those who bravely did their duty to try to rescue as many people as they could,” said Moreira, director of campus engagement for veteran success and alumni affairs at USF Sarasota-Manatee. “We also want to honor those who continue to serve to protect us.”
McDonnell, who retired from the FDNY as a battalion chief and now lives in Lakewood Ranch, also wants to remind attendees of exactly what happened almost 23 years ago in New York.
“This was an attack on civilians, the whole of the American citizenry,” he said. “The intent of the terrorists was to kill people who were simply going to work. The victims were murdered.”
Volunteers on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, planted 2,997 flags to commemorate the lives of those killed in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
Others expected to participate in the event include USF Sarasota-Manatee Regional Chancellor Karen Holbrook and representatives of local veterans and public safety organizations, as well as two local schools.
They are:
- Sarasota Police Department
- Sarasota County Fire Department
- Sarasota County Sheriff's Office
- Campus Police Department
- United States Marine Corps, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion
- United States Army, Sarasota Recruiting Company
- Braden River Brass Quintet
- Ross Allen, Bagpiper and USF alum
- Saint Stephens Episcopal School
- Booker Middle School
On Saturday, volunteers planted 2,997 American flags — one for each person killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pa. — on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus courtyard and near the circle drive in front of the Crosley Campus Center.
To ask questions, contact Moreira at cjmoreira@usf.edu or Ashlie Cruz at ashliecruz@usf.edu or call 941-359-4291.