FORT PIERCE — On Friday, Sept. 11, the Fort Pierce community gathered at Veterans Memorial Park to remember the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, and honor the life and legacy of Fort Pierce native CeeCee Ross Lyles, a flight attendant who lost her life aboard United Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The solemn ceremony brought together local dignitaries, city and county officials, members of law enforcement and fire service agencies, veterans, and community members. They gathered to honor the nearly 3,000 people who perished that day and express gratitude to the first responders and others who made extraordinary sacrifices in the aftermath.
The service was marked by dignity, reflection and remembrance, with particular emphasis on the courage of those who ran toward danger while others sought safety.
For Fort Pierce, the occasion carried an especially personal significance as family members and residents remembered Lyles, whose life and service remain a source of pride for her hometown.
The ceremony opened with the National Anthem, performed by the Lincoln Park Academy chorus. It later featured a traditional three-volley gun salute and a fire department bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace.”
Remarks were delivered by Florida House Representative Dana Trabulsy and Fort Pierce Mayor Linda Hudson, who reflected on the lasting impact of Sept. 11 and the importance of ensuring the stories of those who were lost are never forgotten.
Fort Pierce City Commissioners Arnold Gaines and Chris Dzadovsky also addressed the gathering.
Gaines reminded those present that “freedom is never free.”
Dzadovsky, who worked as a flight attendant for more than two decades, brought a particularly personal perspective to the tribute to Lyles and the other aviation professionals who were among the victims, citing their strength and courage in their final moments.
Several local law enforcement and emergency services agencies, along with representatives of the aviation industry, also presented memorial wreaths.
Rev. Dr. Kenneth Mills Sr., Lyles’ uncle, spoke about memories of his niece from her early years and shared her final words to her husband, captured in a voice recording. In a tone of calm determination, she expressed her love for her husband and children and her profound regret knowing she would not see them again.
Lyles’ aunt, Dr. Donna Mills, a member of the St. Lucie County Public School Board, announced a memorial scholarship in her niece’s name to recognize educational achievement and academic excellence among local students.
The remembrance served not only as an opportunity to mourn, but also as a reminder of the unity and resilience that emerged in the days following Sept. 11.
Twenty-five years later, the significance of that day remains deeply rooted in the memories of those who lived through it and in the stories passed on to younger generations.
For Fort Pierce, honoring CeeCee Ross Lyles adds an especially poignant dimension to the national remembrance. Her name remains forever connected to United Flight 93 and the extraordinary courage displayed by so many aboard that aircraft.
For those gathered under Friday morning’s bright blue sky, the message was clear: remembrance is an act of gratitude, and the lives lost on Sept. 11 — including that of a daughter of Fort Pierce — will not be forgotten.