WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — The City of Winter Haven and the Polk County Veteran’s Council will partner with county emergency agencies on Friday, Sept. 11, to host the 17th annual “Honoring Our Heroes – Remembering the Day.”
The community gathering, held at South Central Park in downtown Winter Haven, marks the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It honors fallen victims alongside active and retired military personnel, police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians across Polk County.
Registration opens at 4:30 p.m., followed by the annual Freedom Walk at 5:30 p.m. Led by the Lake Region High School Marine ROTC honor guard, participants will walk through downtown streets as a symbolic tribute to first responders.
A formal remembrance ceremony will take place immediately after the walk. Winter Haven Police Chief Vance Monroe and Winter Haven Fire Chief Drew Neubrand will deliver opening greetings. Chief Warrant Officer 4 James Ring, an active member of the 383rd Military Police Detachment (CID) with more than 26 years of combined military and law enforcement service, will serve as the keynote speaker.
The ceremony will feature a presentation of colors by a multi-agency honor guard, while local Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Throughout the evening, visitors can view agency vehicle displays and a dedicated cross-and-boot memorial honoring Polk County personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. The event will conclude with a candlelight vigil.
“This event is a way to pull all of Polk County together and show our local heroes how much they mean to us,” said Gary Clark, chairman of the Polk County Veterans’ Council. “As a community, we should pay tribute to all of those who serve us on a daily basis, putting their lives on the line whether here at home or abroad.”
The event is sponsored by Winter Haven Public Safety, with participation from all municipal and county emergency service departments. Admission and agency displays are free and open to the public.
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