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Sebastian mayor proclaims Sept. 11, 2025 Patriot Day; ceremony features survivor testimony
Summary
Mayor Bob McPartland proclaimed Sept. 11, 2025, as Patriot Day in Sebastian during a city ceremony at VFW Post 10210 that included a wreath laying, bell ringing for the six key times on Sept. 11, 2001, and a keynote by survivor and VFW auxiliary president Theresa Bettencourt.
Mayor Bob McPartland proclaimed Sept. 11, 2025, Patriot Day in the City of Sebastian during a ceremony at VFW Post 10210 on Thursday and urged residents to observe a moment of silence for those who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The event included a wreath laying, a bell rung to mark six key times from the attacks, and a keynote address by Theresa Bettencourt, president of the VFW Post 10210 Auxiliary, who spoke about surviving and living with the memory of the attacks.
The proclamation formalized the city's observance. In presenting it, Mayor Bob McPartland said, "Now, therefore, I, Bob McParland, by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the city of Sebastian, do hereby proclaim 09/11/2025 as Patriot Day in this city and urge all citizens to observe a moment of silence to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks on 09/11/2001." The ceremony that followed included the posting and retirement of colors by the Sebastian Area Veterans Honor Guard, a memorial bouquet presentation by Vice Mayor Fred Jones and a wreath laying.
The keynote speaker, Theresa Bettencourt, described how surviving Sept. 11 shaped her life and service. Bettencourt, introduced as president of the VFW Post 10210 Auxiliary, said, "Because surviving isn't a moment, it's a life," and described the lasting effects of the attacks on survivors' daily habits and priorities. Her remarks connected personal memory with ongoing community service, citing support for local programs such as the Boys & Girls Club of Indian River County and annual veteran observances.
The program included an invocation and benediction by Pastor Dennis Jefferson, a musical performance of the national anthem and "God Bless America" by Debbie Hanford, and the reading of a 09:11 prayer by retired Army veteran Steven Bettencourt. Organizers announced that the bell would ring to mark these six times from Sept. 11, 2001: 8:46 a.m. (American Airlines Flight 11 into the north tower), 9:03 a.m. (United Airlines Flight 175 into the south tower), 9:37 a.m. (American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon), 9:59 a.m. (south tower collapse), 10:03 a.m. (United Flight 93 crash near Shanksville, Pa.), and 10:28 a.m. (north tower collapse).
City officials recognized local veterans and first responders on the program; those named during the ceremony included Vice Mayor Fred Jones and Sebastian Police Chief Daniel Acosta. The event closed with a public invitation from the VFW for free coffee and pastries immediately after the ceremony.
The proclamation and ceremony are ceremonial city observances and do not carry legislative effect; no city council vote or ordinance was recorded during the event. The program combined official recognition by the mayor's office with personal testimony from a survivor and outreach by local veterans' organizations.
