Shortly after daybreak Saturday, Tallahassee's Premier Health and Fitness Center hosted a solemn remembrance of the 9/11 attacks.
Premier Leadership Team Member Tonja Little recalled herself as a 13-year-old middle schooler in her first period class when the attacks came 20 years ago. She said the event suddenly had a personal connection.
"It was during this class - towards the end of it - that I learned one of our classmates had a mother who worked as a flight attendant on Flight 93."
All aboard that flight died, as did more than 400 first responders in New York City. They were recalled by Leon County Pandemic and Swat Medic Tien Cao.
"They all have one thing in common; their care and their compassion. Now 18 years later, being on their side, I understand why care and compassion were their common denominator."
By the 21st anniversary of the attacks, Leon County will have a permanent memorial to 9/11, including a section of Twin Towers steel, located at the regional Red Cross headquarters.
