THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 9.11 TERRORIST ATTACKS.

WE ARE BRINGING YOU A COUNTS OF FIRST RESPONDERS WHO ARE AT GROUND 0 A QUARTER CENTURY AGO.

AND NOW LIVE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THEIR STORIES SHOW THE SACRIFICE, RESILIENCE AND HEROISM OF THAT HORRIFIC DAY WHEN TERRORISTS HIJACKED 4 PLANES FLYING THEM INTO THE WORLD TRADE CENTER TOWERS.

THE PENTAGON AND A FIELD IN SHANKSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, TODAY ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

MOMENTS OF REMEMBRANCE AND REFLECTION, FIRST RESPONDERS PAY TRIBUTE WITH A MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB HONORING NEW YORK CITY FIREFIGHTERS WHO DIED WHILE TRYING TO SAVE OTHERS AND A FLAG.

AN ICONIC PHOTOGRAPH.

AND ITS CONNECTION TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THE U.S.

FLAG PASSED ACROSS TO FIRE DEPARTMENTS TRAVELED THE GLOBE AND ENDED UP THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY FROM NEW YORK CITY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD, MOMENTS OF SILENCE AND SOLEMN TRIBUTE STRETCHED ACROSS THE COUNTRY TODAY HONORING THE NEARLY 3,000 PEOPLE WHO DIED AFTER TERRORISTS HIJACKED 4 COMMERCIAL AIRPLANES ON SEPTEMBER.

11TH 2001.

25 YEARS LATER, IT REMAINS THE DEADLIEST ATTACK ON AMERICAN SOIL.

CEREMONIES INCLUDED A RINGING OF BELLS AT THE TIME.

2 OF THOSE PLANES CRASHED INTO THE TWIN TOWERS IN NEW YORK CITY CEREMONIES FOR VICTIMS TOOK PLACE AT THE PENTAGON IN WASHINGTON, D.C., WERE HIJACKERS CRASHED A 3RD PLANE AND IN SHANKSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, HONORING THOSE KILLED WHEN THE PLANE CRASHED INTO A FIELD THAT FIELD IS NOW A NATIONAL MONUMENT COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONIES ARE A PART OF OUR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COMMUNITY AT HERTZ ARENA IN ESTERO RECENTLY, VOLUNTEERS WITH A 92.5 FOX NEWS FIELD OF FLAGS TRIBUTE PLANTED 2,900 AND 77 FLAGS TO HONOR THE VICTIMS.

THIS IS ONE OF 3 FIELD OF FLAGS.

TRIBUTES IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THE OTHERS ARE IN CAPE CORAL AT BERNIE'S BRAYTON PARK AND AT ARTIS, NAPLES, WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW VICTIMS ARE REMEMBERED, HOW THIS PIECE OF HISTORY IS TAUGHT IN OUR CLASSROOMS AND CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AND WHERE THE ATTACKS OCCURRED.

OUR TOP STORY ABOUT FIRST RESPONDERS WHO RUSHED TO THE SCENE THAT DAY.

HAILED AS HEROES HAD HAVE CONNECTION POINTS.

WE MAY NOT REALIZE WTC USED.

TOM HALL REPORTS.

>> WHAT MAKES A HERO?

HERE'S LEE COUNTY SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO.

>> HEROES COME IN.

A LOT OF DIFFERENT SHAPES, EYES AND FORMS RIGHT?

I LOOK AT TEACHERS AS HEROES.

I LOOK AT FIREFIGHTERS, EMS PERSONNEL PEOPLE THAT JUST HELP OTHER PEOPLE JUST TO HELP.

WHEN THEY'RE NOT INVOLVED IN CERTAIN THINGS THAT HELP AND SAVE LIVES.

>> 25 YEARS AGO, HEROES EMERGE FROM THE RUBBLE OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER, PENTAGON AND UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT LIKE CAPTAIN PATRICK PATTY BROWN AND FIREFIGHTER GERARD TO ONE.

BROWN HAD JUST COME ON DUTY.

THE ONE JUST FINISHED HER SHIFT WHEN AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 11 CRASHED INTO THE NORTH TOWER OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER.

WITHOUT HESITATION, ROUND ONE 10 OTHER FIREFIGHTERS DROVE LETTER 3 TO WEST STREET AND PROCEEDED UP STAIRWELL B.

>> ROUTE.

LOT OF GREAT ABOUT YOUR WORLD RIGHT NOW IN AMMAN AND NOTING THE LONG GAME RELATED COMMAND POST.

AND SO I WOULD TRY TO GET UP.

AND, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW WHAT?

A MILLION ON THEIR WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN A JURY COMING DOWN IN WRITING THAT DOWN FOR YOU.

I'M ALLIE ABOUT THE DEBATE THAT ONE OF THEM.

THEY GOT ME INTO A GREAT RUN WITH THE HEAD.

NOT WRITE A THANK YOU >> JACK ONE IS DRIVES NEPHEW 13 YEARS TO OUR JUNIOR JACK REGARDED HIM AS AN OLDER BROTHER.

THEY'VE EVEN SHARED A BEDROOM FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

JACK IS ALSO A FIREFIGHTER WITH THE FORT MYERS FIRE DEPARTMENT.

JACK REFLECTED AND RAJ DECISION TO RUN UP THOSE STAIRS AND SAYS HE WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME THING.

WE SWORE AN OATH AND MY JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT >> PEOPLE COME OVER THE FAMILY.

>> IF IT MEANS SELF-SACRIFICING, WELL, THAT'S WHAT WE SIGNED UP FOR.

>> AND WE TAKE THAT EXTREMELY SERIOUSLY.

>> WHEN THE SOUTH TOWER COLLAPSED AT 9.59, THE COMMAND POST GAVE BROWN A TERSELY WORDED ORDER.

THAT ORDER WAS COMMAND POST LETTER THREAT COMMAND POST THE LATTER 3.

GET OUT OF THE BUILDING.

BROWN THEN RESPONDED.

THIS IS THE OFFICER OF LADDER 3.

I REFUSE THE ORDER ON THE 44TH FLOOR.

WE HAVE TOO MANY BURN PEOPLE WITH MAY.

I'M NOT LEAVING THAT.

FIRST RESPONDERS ARE EVER MINDFUL SAYS FORT MYERS FIRE CHIEF TRACY MCMILLION THAT THEY MAY BE CALLED UPON TO MAKE THAT SACRIFICE ONE DAY.

>> WE SHIFT THAT YOU'RE WRONG.

COULD POTENTIALLY BE YOUR LAST ONE.

AND SO YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY TO SOME DEGREE LIVE IN THE MOMENT.

I WAS LIKE, SAY, LIVE POSITIVELY IN THE MOMENT OF ACTUALLY MAKING SURE YOU'RE EMBRACING AND LOVING AND LIVING A FULL LIFE BECAUSE TRULY, THAT IS THAT MENTAL MAKEUP WITH KNOWING THAT TODAY COULD BE MY LAST DAY AND BEING WILLING TO BE OKAY WITH.

>> CHUCK DIAZ WAS A LIEUTENANT IN THE NEW YORK CITY SANITATION POLICE ON 9.11 HE WAS ON STATEN ISLAND WITH AN INSPECTOR WHOSE WIFE WORKED IN ONE OF THE TOWERS.

THEY HOPPED IN TRUCKS, CAR MADE A BEELINE FOR LOWER MANHATTAN AND PARK JUST UP THE STREET FROM LADDER 3.

THE INSPECTOR WENT TO FIND HIS WIFE.

DIAZ REPORTED TO THE INCIDENT COMMANDER, ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF GERARD A BARBARA.

I CAME UP TO HIM.

MANY SAID TO ME SAID WHERE YOU GOING?

I SAID, WELL, I'M GOING TO HELP OUR PERCENT DE ESTA THE BACK OF THE BUILDING.

BARBARA DUNN, HIS BUNKER GEAR LOOKED UP AT THE BURNING SKYSCRAPERS AND LED A GROUP OF FIREFIGHTERS INTO THE SOUTH TOWER LOBBY.

MOMENTS LATER, IT COLLAPSE WITH THEM INSIDE I HAPPENED TO LOOK UP.

AND SO THE FIRST TIME COMING DOWN.

SO I JUST STARTED RUNNING TOWARDS BROADWAY.

I WANT TO FACE DOWN.

AND AS I'M TRYING TO GET UP.

THE FORCE OF EVERYTHING FALLING IS PUSHING THE BACK DOWN.

SO I'M JUST LAYING THERE THINKING THAT'S IT.

I'M DONE.

>> IN DEVELOPED AN 8 PITCH BLACK CLOUD OF DUST AND DEBRIS AND SPITTING OUT CHUNKS OF CONCRETE IN INSULATION.

DIAZ HAD ONE MOTIVATING THOUGHT.

>> THAT FRIDAY WOULD IS GOING TO BE MY DAUGHTER IS SWEET.

16.

>> SO I SAID TO MYSELF, I'M I GUESS I'M NEVER CONDONE THAT DANCE WITH MY DAUGHTER.

>> AND I SAID TO MYSELF, I GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE TO DO THAT.

HE HAS EMERGED FROM THE RUBBLE WITH A SHATTERED RIGHT ARM.

>> THAT DIDN'T STOP HIM FROM PUTTING A SCHOOL SAFETY OFFICER WITH A BROKEN LEG AND A WOMAN HAVING AN ASTHMA ATTACK AT THE NBA.

LUND SAYS BEFORE THE COLLAPSE OF THE NORTH TOWER AND HIS EFFORTS TO FIND HIS OFFICERS.

>> AND RENDER AID TO OTHER VICTIMS.

AS FORT MYERS, POLICE CHIEF JASON FIELDS OBSERVES DIAZ'S SELF-SACRIFICE, TYPIFIES THE MINDSET OF A FIRST RESPONDER.

>> THIS IS A PROFESSION, BUT I LIKE TO THINK OF IT OF MORE AS A CALLING IT A LOT OF TIMES.

WE WILL NOT NECESSARILY THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND, BUT WE DO EXPOSE OURSELVES TO A LEVEL OF DANGER.

BUT WE HAVE THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE BEHIND IT TO TAKE ON THOSE THOSE CALCULATED RISKS.

BUT WE DO IT FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS.

I LIKE SAY SERVICE BEFORE SELF.

A LOT OF TIMES WE PUT OURSELVES ASIDE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THOSE.

>> HEROES DO THE WORK THAT'S NEEDED.

EVEN WHEN IT'S NOT PRETTY.

LIKE IDENTIFYING THE DEAD.

ASBURY COURAGE DID IN THE AFTERMATH OF 9.11 HE WAS A DENTAL ANTHROPOLOGISTS ATTACHED TO THE DISASTER MORTUARY OPERATIONAL RESPONSE TEAM THAT WAS SENT TO GROUND 0 TO IDENTIFY VICTIMS >> THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THE DEDICATION REALLY WAS TOO PROVIDE CLOSURE.

CLOSURE, EMOTIONAL CLOSURE TO RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.

WELL, LEGAL CLOSURE.

BUT THAT'S THE TICKET AND ALSO RELIGIOUS CLOSURE.

>> BECAUSE THE CITY'S EMERGENCY CENTER WAS DESTROYED WHEN THE TOWERS FELL.

THE TEAM'S FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS WAS TO CREATE A COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR DENTAL RECORDS.

THEN CAME THE PAINSTAKING TASK OF SIFTING THE DEBRIS FOR REMAINS A LOT OF THE REMAINS ALSO CAME NOT ONLY FROM THE >> ACTUAL CRASH SITE IN WORLD TRADE CENTER.

>> BARGES, IT TOOK A LOT OF THE DEBRIS.

IT REMAINS TO THE AUTHOR KILLS A LANDFILL.

AND FROM THAT POINT, THEY WERE ON A CONVEYOR BILLS AND A FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGIST.

AND FORENSIC DENTIST WITH THROUGH THE REMAINS AND IDENTIFY WHAT WAS HUMAN REMAINS AND WHAT WAS NOT.

>> IT WAS DENTAL RECORDS THAT HELPED IDENTIFY CHECK TO WANTS LOCAL ON DECEMBER 8TH.

>> IT'S STILL GOING TO TURN ALL CAUGHT ON HAD HIS HELMET AND WHAT NOT SO THEY GET THEM UP TO THE MORGUE AND THEN HE WAS IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING DAY.

>> NYPD SERGEANT BILL KELLER WAS STATIONED AT THE MORGUE.

IT WAS HIS JOB TO WATCH EACH VICTIM UPON THEIR ARRIVAL.

>> BECAUSE YOU COULD.

I MEAN, EVERYBODY WAS FILLED WITH SO.

YOU COULD TELL US SOME OF THE FINE AND WAS OBVIOUSLY THEY WERE UNIFORM AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

IT WAS GRUELING.

>> 07:00AM TO 07:00PM WITH NO RESPITE.

>> I MEAN, IT WAS JUST ONE DAY AFTER THE NEXT.

HE WOULD JUST GO HOME, SLEEP COMEBACK.

I'M GLAD THAT I WAS ABLE TO BE THERE AND HELP TO BE ABLE TO JUST.

BE INVOLVED WITH THAT MORE THAN MOST.

>> SERVICE TO OTHERS BEFORE SELF.

IS THAT YOUR MARK OF A HERO?

SO AS RESPECT.

IN THE WEEKS FOLLOWING 9.11 JACKED ONE COMPILED A THICK THREE-RING BINDER.

EACH PAGE CAREFULLY INSERTED INTO A CLEAR PLASTIC SHEET PROTECTOR.

>> SO THIS BOOK HAS.

THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR EVERY FIREMAN THAT WAS KILLED ON 9.11 ALL 343 MEMBERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THIS JUST HAPPENS TO BE CAPTAIN BROWN AND MY UNCLE.

>> THE ONE MADE IT HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO GO TO AS MANY AS POSSIBLE EVEN WHEN THERE WERE MULTIPLE FUNERALS IN A SINGLE THAT.

THEY ALL DID.

BUT IT TOOK AN EMOTIONAL TOLL.

AND ENTIRE GENERATION HAS GROWN UP SINCE 9/11/2001 THEY HAVE NO FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE.

HERE IS YOU JUST MET, WANT THEM AND US ALL OF US.

TO KNOW AND REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY AND APPRECIATE THAT.

THIS TRADITION OF SERVICE BEFORE SELF CONTINUES TODAY.

EVERY TIME FIRE, POLICE, EMS AND OTHER HERE, THOSE RESPOND TO AN EMERGENCY OR DISASTER.

WE DON'T DO IT FOR.

>> AWARDS PARADES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

WE DO BECAUSE WE GENERALLY CARE ABOUT PEOPLE AND WE WANT TO BE WE WANT TO BE THOSE LIFE SAVERS OUT THERE FOR EVERYONE.

>> AND TONIGHT, THE FORT MYERS PHILHARMONIC PERFORMS THE INAUGURAL CONCERT HONORING OUR HEROES, A TRIBUTE TO FIRST RESPONDERS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THE BEGINNING OF THAT PROGRAM INCLUDES THOSE INTERVIEWS THAT YOU JUST SAW AS PART OF OUR STORY.

TODAY'S LIFESAVERS PAID TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN HEROES OF 9.11, AND MODERN DAY.

FIRST RESPONDERS WITH A MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB.

WE LOOK AT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE AMOUNT OF STEPS THEY TOOK WH AS WE REFLECT ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 9.11 TERRORIST ATTACKS AND CONNECTIONS TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

HERE'S ANOTHER LOOK AT THE GROUND OUTSIDE OF HERTZ ARENA IN LEE COUNTY, 2,977 FLAGS PLANTED TO REPRESENT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO DIED ON SEPTEMBER.

11TH 2001.

THE NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED AN EVENT TO HONOR THE NEW YORK CITY.

FIREFIGHTERS WHO GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE ON 9.11, IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY, THE 9.11 MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB CHALLENGES THE PUBLIC AND FIRST RESPONDERS TO CLIMB TO 343 STAIRS IN HONOR OF EACH FIREFIGHTER LOST WGCU REPORTER YOUN JOO PARK HAS THE STORY.

ON THE HUMID MORNING UPSET NUMBER 11 BELLS RANG OUT.

WELL, FIREFIGHTERS IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY STOOD IN THEIR FULL TACTICAL GEAR.

AT THE FIRST SOUND OF THE SIGNAL.

THEY KIND THE STEPS AT CHARLOTTE SPORTS PARK STADIUM, 343 STAIRS TAPS TO HONOR 343 FIREFIGHTERS THE PAST 25 YEARS AGO IN THE TWIN TOWERS OF NEW YORK CITY.

CRYSTAL OR THAT HE'S HAD WITNESSED THE TRAGEDY UNFOLD FROM HER APARTMENT IN NEW YORK CITY.

25 YEARS LATER AS A CHARLOTTE COUNTY RESIDENT, SHE BROUGHT AN AMERICAN FLAG COMMEMORATING THE NAMES OF THE LIVES LOST ON SEPTEMBER.

11TH.

>> I DEFINITELY WILL NEVER, AGAIN, EVERY DAY, ONLY 2 YEARS AGO THAT I START GOING TO WORK ON 9.11 I WORKED IN THE SCHOOLS, BUT THE DAY HAS ALWAYS BEEN SACRED TO ME WHERE I'VE ALWAYS CHOSEN TO STAY HOME.

>> THE LINE OF STAIR CLIMBERS SNAKED THROUGH THE STADIUM.

THERE WERE EMERGENCY WORKERS AND RESIDENTS OF CHARLOTTE COUNTY.

FIRE CHIEF MATTHEW MCILROY SAYS HIS DAUGHTER IS THE SCHOOL TEACHER WHO IS PASSING THE MEMORY TO THE YOUNGER >> SHE'S A 4TH GRADE TEACHER TELLING THEM WHAT TODAY IS.

SO I THOUGHT TODAY WAS VETERANS DAY AND SHE'S LIKE, NO, THAT'S IN 2 MONTHS.

NA'S 9.11, WORKERS ARE REMEMBERING THOSE THAT PASS FROM THAT TRAGIC EVENTS.

>> AFTER THE EMERGENCY RESPONDERS FINISHED THE STAIR CLIMB IN, THEY DID ANOTHER ROUND OF WEIGHTLIFTING EXERCISES.

SHERIFF CORPORAL ANDREW CLINTON SAYS THIS PHYSICAL EXERTION IS NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT FIRST RESPONDERS, KEITH THAT MORNING.

WE FEEL LIKE THE >> FIREFIGHTERS OF 9.11, GET MORE.

>> THESE ACTIVITIES MARCH CHARLOTTE COUNTY'S WAY TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE LIVES LOST ON SEPTEMBER 11.

25 YEARS LATER.

FOR WGCU NEWS.

I'M YON JOO PARK.

>> WELL, MOST OLDER AMERICANS RECALL EXACTLY WHERE THEY WERE.

25 YEARS AGO, AN ENTIRE GENERATION HAS GROWN INTO ADULTHOOD AND THE YOUNGER GENERATION IS NOW IN SCHOOL WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THEY HAVE ABOUT THAT FATEFUL DAY LEARNED MOSTLY FROM NEWS STORIES.

THEIR PARENTS, SOCIAL MEDIA AND HISTORY BOOKS.

WGCUS KATE CRONIN LOOKS AT HOW EDUCATORS ARE TEACHING ABOUT THAT DAY AND ITS RAMIFICATIONS >> TODAY WE'VE HAD A NATIONAL TRAGEDY.

2 AIRPLANES.

HAVE CRASHED INTO THE WORLD TRADE CENTER.

IN AN APPARENT TERRORIST ATTACK ON OUR COUNTRY.

>> A STUDY BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FOUND THAT ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF AMERICANS WERE BORN AFTER AL QAEDA HIJACKERS CRASHED PLANES AND KILLED NEARLY 3,000 PEOPLE IN NEW YORK, THE PENTAGON AND SHANKSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

THE AP STUDY SHOWS A GROWING MAJORITY OF STATES AT LEAST 40 EXPECT OR SUGGEST THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADDRESS 9.11, IN SOME WAY.

FLORIDA STANDARDS SAY THE TEACHING OF 9.11 IS EXPECTED ITS CURRICULUM.

2023, FLORIDA LOT EVEN SPECIFIES THAT CERTAIN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL COURSES SPENT.

45 MINUTES ON 9.11, EDUCATION EXPERTS SAY TEACHING ABOUT THE DAY REQUIRES MORE THAN RECOUNTING WHAT HAPPENED.

TEACHERS MUST CREATE SPACE FOR QUESTIONS, RECOGNIZE DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, STUDENTS BRINGING TO THE CLASSROOM AND AVOID REINFORCING STEREOTYPES.

>> TEACHING ABOUT 9.11 OR ABOUT ANY OTHER COMPLEX HISTORICAL TOPIC.

>> NEED TO BE PREPARED TO DO SEVERAL THINGS.

>> AND FIRST, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THEY ESTABLISH A CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY CAN SHARE THEIR OPINIONS.

ASK QUESTIONS BE WRONG ON.

TEACHERS ALSO NEED TO BE AWARE OF WHO THEIR STUDENTS ARE AND WHAT THEIR PERSONAL CONNECTIONS TO DIFFERENT ISSUES ARE A 9.11, OR ANY OTHER ISSUE.

AND NOT FOCUS ATTENTION ON ONE PARTICULAR STUDENT WITH ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT HOW THAT STUDENT MIGHT BE THINKING OR FEELING OR MAKE A STUDENT INTO A REPRESENTATIVE OF A PARTICULAR COMMUNITY.

>> HOW THE ATTACKS ARE TALKING VARY WIDELY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT HAVE NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR TEACHING.

ABOUT 9.11 RUBIN SAID EDUCATION POLICIES ARE SET BY INDIVIDUAL STATES WHILE SCHOOL DISTRICTS DEVELOP CURRICULUM BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES THAT LOCAL APPROACH MEANS TEACHERS CAN HAVE CONSIDERABLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DECIDING HOW TO PRESENT A SUBJECT THAT INVOLVES TERRORISM OR DISCRIMINATION AND LOSS FOR WGCU NEWS.

I'M KATE CRONIN.

>> THE U.S.

MILITARY BEGAN WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE CALLED THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR AFTER THE SEPTEMBER 11TH ATTACKS AS TODAY'S VETERANS RETURN HOME FROM THEIR TOURS OF DUTY.

WGCUS ELIZABETH ANDARGE SHOWS US HOW CAMARADERIE, TEAMWORK AND A GYM ARE HELPING THEM ADJUST.

>> SO THAT THING I HAVE YOU DOING.

>> GETTING A MILITARY AND TRANSITIONING TO REGULAR LIFE IS EXTREMELY CHALLENGING.

I THINK PROBABLY 30 MY FRIENDS IS THE FIRST WOMAN TO KILL THEMSELVES UP TO THIS POINT AND WELL, THAT'S NOT LIKE A SUPER COOL STAT.

I THINK IT'S PRETTY INDICATIVE OF HOW.

VETERANS HANDLE THE REAL WORLD AFTER THE MILITARY.

MOST OF MY FRIENDS ARE NOT WITH US ANYMORE.

THERE IS LIKE A TREND AMONG THEM IS THAT THEY NEVER FOUND SOMETHING VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT AFTERWARDS.

AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE A STRONG COMMUNITY CONNECT WITH AFTERWARDS.

>> ARMY VETERAN NICK HAVE IS JUST HOPING TO CHANGE THAT IS JIM SHARP BY FITNESS IS NOW PARTNERING WITH HOME BASE, FLORIDA, THE NON-PROFIT THAT RUNS TO VETERANS WAS THIS PROGRAM AT FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY, THE WAR YOUR HEALTH AND FITNESS INITIATIVE RUNS 90 DAYS AND COMBINES GROUP WORKOUTS WITH STRESS MANAGEMENT, AIR FORCE VETERAN DEBRA TODD FOUND THE PROGRAM WHEN SHE WAS STRUGGLING.

>> LEAVING THE MILITARY HAD A LOT OF BAGGAGE THAT I WAS TRYING TO WORK THROUGH.

>> PTSD, SURVIVOR, GUILT OF THE MEDIC IN THE MILITARY.

SO I HAVE A LOT OF >> A LOT OF THINGS THAT I WAS TRYING TO UNPACK.

AND TO DO IT ON YOUR OWN IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DO SO I WAS KIND OF GRASPING FOR RESOURCES.

THE VET CENTER WAS OBVIOUSLY A GREAT CHOICE FOR ME.

>> WITH ROUGHLY 14,000 VETERANS IN CAPE CORAL HOME BASE HOPES THE NEW LOCATION THAT SHARK BITE GIVE SOME SOMEWHERE CLOSER TO HOME TO FIND THOSE RESOURCES.

TODD SAYS HOME-BASED CHANGED THE WAY SHE VIEWS HER OWNER, TEENS.

YOU HAVE THESE CERTAIN ROLES AND LIFE, WHETHER IT'S BEING A MOTHER BEING A WIFE.

>> BEING A GOOD FRIEND BEING A HEALTH CARE WORKER.

OUR CARETAKER.

THESE ARE ALL THE ROLES THAT WE PLAY IN LIFE.

AND CERTAINLY THEY'RE IMPORTANT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IF YOU DON'T TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, NOBODY ELSE WILL DO IT FOR YOU.

SO YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF MENTALLY PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY TO REALLY.

GET TO BECOME THE PERSON THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN BE IN THE PRESS THAT YOU WANT TO BE FOR EVERYONE ELSE.

>> AND THEN SHOT ONE.

>> ORGANIZERS SAY HOME BASE IS FREE FOR VETERANS SERVICE MEMBERS AND MILITARY FAMILIES.

SIGN-UP INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT WGCU DOT OR A MONTH LATE.

THE WGCU NEWS.

I'M ELIZABETH ANDARGE WITH AND A LITTLE MORE.

>> COMING UP, A FLAG KNOWN FROM 25 YEARS AFTER THE SEPTEMBER 11TH TERROR ATTACKS A PART-TIME SOUTHWEST FLORIDIAN HAS A STORY ABOUT HIS ROLE IN WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY IN PARTICULAR.

WHAT HAPPEN TO A FLAG THAT FLEW FOR JUST A SHORT TIME AFTER THE WORLD TRADE CENTER TOWERS COLLAPSED IN NEW YORK CITY.

WGCUS MIKE WALCHER HAS THE STORY.

>> A TOP FLOORS COLLAPSED DOWN A FEW HOURS AFTER TERRORISTS FLEW PLANES INTO THE TOWERS AND BROUGHT HIM DOWN 3 FIREFIGHTERS HOISTED A SMALL AMERICAN FLAG AND ACTOR PRIDE.

DEFIANCE, RESILIENCE THAT BECAME ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS PHOTOS OF OUR TIMES.

>> IT WAS KIND OF LIKE.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU MAUREEN IS RAISING THE FLAG AND IF THE BADLY MUSEUM IT WAS KIND OF LIKE A MIRACLE.

THEY COULD THEY BE ABLE TO DO THAT IN THIS CHAOS.

>> NIC, BUT ROCCO SPOKE TO US FROM HIS HOME IN NEW YORK.

HE LEARNED FORENSICS AT JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN MANHATTAN.

THEN WORK NEARLY 40 YEARS AS A FORENSICS DETECTIVE IN THE NYPD.

HE'S STILL A JOHN JAY PROFESSOR.

HE SAYS MANY JOHN JAY GRADUATES RESPONDED TO THE SCENE ON 9.11 >> AT LEAST 60, 70 ARE A LOT OF AARON LONG.

I THAT DAY.

FIREMEN OPTION AND OTHER OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> AND THE SAYS HUNDREDS OF OTHERS HAVE DIED SINCE BECAUSE THEY BREATHE SO MUCH TOXIC DUST.

THE FIREFIGHTERS GOT THAT FLAG FROM A YACHT IN A NEARBY MARINA AFTER 9.11, THE FLAG WAS PASSED AMONG OFFICIALS SAID AROUND THE WORLD AND THEM LAST FAST FORWARD TO 2014 TO EVERETT, WASHINGTON, NORTH OF SEATTLE.

NEARLY 3,000 MILES FROM NEW YORK CITY AT THIS FIRE STATION, A MAN CALLING HIMSELF ONLY BRIAN DROPPED OFF A FLAG.

HE SAID THIS IS THE 9.11 FLAG.

THEN HE VANISHED A YEAR LATER, EVERETT POLICE ASKED PUT ROCK OWEN IS JOHN J. FORENSICS TEAM TO RUN TESTS AND DETERMINED.

WAS THIS THE GROUND 0 FLAG.

>> GOOD EVENTUALLY TO FIND THE SAMPLES OF GAS.

ONE WAS WITH HUMAN REMAINS WANT ONE WAS WITHOUT HUMAN REMAINS.

AND I HAVE KNOWN SAMPLES FROM WORLD TRADE CENTER AREA BASICALLY HUNDREDS OF SAMPLES THAT PEOPLE ARE BORN.

AND FOR ME TO ASK ME UP, WHAT'S IN THEIR STAFF.

SO AT A WHOLE LITANY OF MATERIALS THAT AND SO I WAS ABLE TO SAY, I FOUND BOTH TYPES OF SAMPLES ON THE FLAG.

SO A REPORT SAYING THAT IT IT WAS THE FLAG.

>> IT WENT TO THE 9 11 MEMORIAL AT GROUND 0.

>> IT WAS ALSO A TRIAL.

AND I THINK BECAUSE BECAUSE THE POOR, THE FLIGHT BACK TO WORK FOR LONG SO IT'S REALLY, YOU KNOW, IT'S EMOTIONAL BOOK.

AND I'M NOT REALLY EMOTIONAL GUY.

SPOKE, BUT IT WAS A GOOD FEELING.

>> THE RIVER ESTATES IN NORTH FORT MYERS IS A SECOND HOME FOR AN EXPERT ROCCO AND HIS WIFE, LAURA.

DION BABCOCK IS A NEIGHBOR AND HIS TALK WITH THAT ROCCO ABOUT THAT FLAG.

>> I WAS GOP-BACKED.

I MEAN, TO DO THAT.

MY NEIGHBOR WAS PART OF THIS DISCOVERY.

AND AND TO BE PART OF HISTORY AND THAT WAY, I DEFINITELY HAVE A VISCERAL REACTION TO IT.

THAT KAKA LIVED IN NEW YORK ON 9.11 AND LATER WORK WITH THE WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM.

>> TRACKING THE IMPACT OF GROUND 0 TOXINS.

>> ON A DAY.

ON A DAY THAT DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF HOPE.

SEEING THAT FLAG GO UP, SEEING THAT FLAG FLYING.

IT IS A BIG DEAL.

>> A FEW YEARS AGO, A MAN CALLING HIMSELF BRIAN BROWN CAME FORWARD AND WASHINGTON STATE TO SAY HE HAD DROPPED OFF THE FLAG.

THE AVERAGE NEWSPAPER COACH BROWN IS CLAIMING AND OLDER WOMAN WHO MOVED WEST FROM NEW YORK GAME FOR THE FLAG TO BROWN'S NEIGHBOR.

THEN SHE DISAPPEARED.

THE NEIGHBOR GAVE THE FLAG TO BROWN WHO'S A MILITARY VETERAN.

THERE'S NO CONFIRMED EXPLANATION OF HOW THE WOMAN CAME TO POSSESS THE FLACK.

NIC.

BUT ROCCO SAYS THE KEY IS THAT THESE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS THAT FLEW ON ONE OF THE NATION'S WORST DAYS WILL FOREVER HONOR THOSE WHO DIED.

>> THAT KIND OF LIKE IT'S AN INFANT FINAL RESTING PLACE LIKE A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THE EVENT.

>> FOR WGCU NEWS, I'M MIKE WALCHER >> WE ARE SO GRATEFUL.

YOU JOINED US FOR THIS SPECIAL EPISODE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS TAKING TIME TO REFLECT, REMEMBER AND HONOR THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR OUR COUNTRY.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN FOR THE NEXT EPISODE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.