PALM HARBOR, Fla. (WFLA) — The 911 anniversary event at Curlew Hills Memorial Park was an emotional morning remembrance, with many moved to tears.

Gov. Ron DeSantis was in attendance, highlighting the importance of continuing to educate the next generation of the tragic events that unfolded that day, 24 years ago.

“It’s important for our kids to know that on the worst day where the worst evil was put before us,” DeSantis said. “We saw some of the best that this country has to offer. We saw true heroism.”

In that heroism was then-New York City firefighter Bob Dwyer. Dwyer vividly recounted that day and the impact he still carries from it.

“It was just huge slabs of concrete, pieces of steel rebar, and pieces of steel,” Dwyer said. “We did what we could. We tried to find a crevice to crawl into. We’d go as far as we could until we hit the heat.”

The aftermath of searching through the rubble, he said, was even more devastating.  

“Two police officers, young men, came over, covered in soot, and I put my arm around one of them as they were cleaning his face, and he just looked at me crying his eyes out, and he just said, you lost so many guys,” Dwyer said.

As Thursday’s ceremony continued with displays of patriotism, both DeSantis and Dwyer reminded us how precious time can be.

“Let’s not now, 24 years later, succumb as a country to some of those forces inside our country who are really trying to upend what America is all about,” DeSantis said.

Twenty-four years later, a reminder to never forget. That sentiment felt and heard throughout this 911 memorial ceremony today.

“I got 24 years that my brothers did not get,” Dwyer said.