Events Archives - Page 6 of 6 -

September 3, 2016July 3, 2019

Remembering 9/11

by David Volz

It has been 15 years since the terrorist attacks took place on September 11, 2001 in New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania; the vivid memories of that day still live on. The 9/11 attacks were the worst terrorist attacks in U.S. history. Nineteen men hijacked four U.S. commercial airplanes heading for west coast destinations. Two of the airplanes were crashed into the World Trade Center, in New York; one was crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.; and one was taken over by passengers and crew and crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks and about 6,000 were injured.

September 11^th is on a Sunday this year, and Parkland will have a ceremony open to the public, beginning at 8:30am, for about 30 minutes at Parkland City Hall. The ceremony will include lowering the flags to half-staff, a moment of silent reflection, the playing of bagpipes, the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Honor Guard, and some remarks from the Mayor. Then at 8:46am a siren will sound marking the moment the first airplane crashed into the World Trade Center.

Coral Springs will honor the victims and heroes of 9/11 with a Remembrance 5K Run/Walk that will begin on Saturday, September 10th at 7:00am, at the Northwest Regional Library. Registration is $25 for adults, $15 for students 19 and younger, and $20 for emergency service personnel. Participant will receive a finisher medal and T-shirt.

Coral Springs will have a ceremony outside the Northwest Regional Library on September 11^th at 2:00pm, followed by a program inside the Charter School Auditorium.

If you happen to be in New York City, you can participate in a ceremony at Ground Zero. It will be marked with four minutes of silence to observe the times when each plane hit and each tower fell, beginning at 8:46am. At the nearby St. Paul’s Chapel, there will be morning bell services followed by Prayers for Peace and the ringing of the Bell of Hope in memory of 9/11.

The National 9/11 Memorial was dedicated on September 11^th, 2011 on the 10th anniversary of the attacks in a ceremony for the victim’s families. This memorial includes the nation’s largest man-made waterfalls cascading into two sunken pools. These pools mark the footprints of the Twin Towers. The names of 2,980 victims have been carved in granite around the edges of the memorial. The 9/11 Memorial Museum includes artifacts from 9/11 events including personal items from survivors and the deceased donated by their families.

9_11 911

June 29, 2016July 3, 2019

Veterans’ Honor Wall in Coral Springs

By David Volz

Military veterans and their families in Tamarac now have a Veterans’ Honor Wall.

On Memorial Day Weekend, the City of Tamarac had a special ceremony to dedicate the Veterans’ Honor Wall. The wall includes six panels each with 100 names of military veterans from Tamarac both living and deceased. There are 600 names in total on the Memorial. There are two additional glass panels showing uniformed military personnel.

The Wall represents a two year effort among the City of Tamarac, the Tamarac Parks and Recreation Department, the Tamarac Public Art Committee and the Tamarac Historical Society. It is at Tamarac Veterans’ Memorial Park, 7825 Southgate Boulevard.

“We decided it would be good to have a tribute to veterans in Veterans’ Park,” said Barbara Tarnove, president of the Tamarac Historical Society. “We got the approval to collect names and we were able to collect 600 names of Tamarac residents who had been in the military. We are continuing to collect the names of veterans in Tamarac.”

Tarnove had the opportunity to talk with military veterans and listen to their stories. “We became friends. It was a heartwarming experience. We have created a data base of the names and we want to collect more names,” she said. “We will commission a new panel for every 100 names we get.”

Zachary Knudson, the owner of the Glass Artist in Coral Springs, was the artist who completed the Veterans’ Honor Wall. He considered it a privileged to do this project. “The veterans have put their lives on the line and sacrificed a whole lot. I dedicated it to them. I feel good about this project and I am glad to give back to the community,” he said.

Knudson said he hopes this project will encourage more young people to appreciate and become interested in art. “There are a lot of kids who will walk by this work on their way to school. I hope when they see it they will be inspired to appreciate art,” he said.

He is looking forward to continuing work on the Veterans’ Honor Wall as more names are added. It took about seven months to complete the project. Knudson also completed an aluminum and glass pyramid structure at the ArtWalk in Coral Springs.

The dedication ceremony on Memorial Day was very well attended and many veterans and their families participated. Members of the Tamarac City Commission spoke on the importance of honoring veterans for their service.

Captain A.J. Tolbert, U.S. Air Force retired, was the keynote speaker. He spoke of the challenges of military service and the importance of honoring veterans. Tolbert remembers how military personnel were not treated well during the Vietnam War era. As an ROTC cadet at the University of South Carolina, he remembered students heckling the cadets as they drilled. He emphasized the contribution the military makes in keeping the United States free.

Elise Boston, spokesperson for the City of Tamarac, said she is pleased that the city’s veterans are being honored. “We want to honor those who have served their nation. We will continue adding names,” she said.

June 29, 2016January 21, 2019

Fourth of July Fun

Fourth of July fun

By David Volz

The Fourth of July is a time when people get together to honor the nation, spend time with family and friends and to watch fireworks.

Parkland Mayor Michael Udine said he enjoys the Fourth of July. “It is a great celebration of American Independence and a nice holiday.”

Coral Springs Commissioner Larry Vignola said, “We celebrate our independence in on the Fourth of July. Coral Springs will have the best and safest fireworks show. We want people to come to Mullins Park and have a good time and be safe,” he said.

Coral Springs will be offering a large family event at Mullins Park from 6to 9pm. During the early evening, people will be able to enjoy some family time at the park. There will be food trucks and an interactive disc jockey. There will be inflatable slides and a bounce house. Civic organizations will offer hamburgers, funnel cakes and other treats. At 9pm there will be a big fireworks display.

“This is an event that families truly enjoy. We get a big crowd. People should bring blankets and chairs. We are hoping for good weather,” said Joan Dowling, superintendent of the Coral Springs recreation department.

Pompano Beach will celebrate the Fourth of July with live music, featuring Chain Reaction, a Journey Tribute Band. The party starts at 6pm followed by a live DJ and fireworks at 9pm. It will take place at the Pompano Beach Fishing Pier and Public Beach.

Tamarac will host a Fourth July All American Celebration at the Tamarac Sports Complex at 9901 Northwest 77^th Street. There will live music by the Free Radicals. There will be food trucks on site and a kid’s area with face painting, inflatable rides, interactive games and arts and crafts. The fun starts at 6 pm with fireworks at 9pm.

Boca Raton will hold a Fabulous Fourth Celebration at 1000 Northwest Spanish River Boulevard at the Spanish River Athletic Facility at Countess deHoernle Park. It will start at 6:30pm with family activities, a live band at 7pm and fireworks at 9 pm.

The City of Parkland does not have a fireworks display or family event on the Fourth of July. Udine encourages residents to attend one of the nearby city’s fireworks displays.

The Fourth of July celebrates the legal separation of the original 13 colonies of the United States from Great Britain during the American Revolution. The actual separation took place on July 2, 1776 when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence explained this decision and Thomas Jefferson was the main author. This document was approved on July 4 after Congress debated it and made some revisions. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin wrote that they signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, however most historians believe the Declaration of Independence was actually signed on August 2, 1776, according to Wikipedia.

The Fourth of July also known as Independence Day is a federal holiday. It is also a major summer holiday when many people have family barbecues and enjoy evening fireworks displays. Most of the events take place outdoors. Community leaders will often appear at Fourth of July events and praise the United States and its citizens.