On September 11, 2014, The Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association commemorated the 13th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001 at its annual Patriot Day Breakfast “Honoring American Heroes.” This community event was held at the Orange County Convention Center and honored Central Florida’s local law enforcement, fire rescue and hospitality security personnel. It also recognized several local “heroes” for “above and beyond” service in the line of duty.
This breakfast featured honorary chair, Jerry Demings, Orange County Sheriff; guest emcee Jim Payne, WESH 2 news anchor; and keynote speaker, Major Dan Pantaleo (ret.), United States Marine Corps and Author of Four Days at the Pentagon. Dan Pantaleo is a motivational speaker, author, entrepreneur and retired Marine Corps officer. His career in the Marine Corps (1985-2005) is punctuated by his service at the Pentagon during the attacks on 9/11/01 where he led recovery operations from 9/11/01 until 9/14/01. In addition to his service at the Pentagon, Major Pantaleo taught at the U.S. Naval Academy, commanded a detachment of Special Operations Capable (SOC) Marines, and has deployed to numerous countries around the world.
In addition, CFHLA honored the following Central Florida first responders: Heroism Award – Fire Rescue, Seminole County Fire Department: Lieutenant Terry Myers, Lieutenant/Paramedic Steven Molnar, Firefighter/Paramedic Douglas Schenck, Lieutenant/Paramedic Joel Herrera, Firefighter Kevin Nowak and Firefighter Tyler Gaddy; Life Saving Award – Fire Rescue, Orlando Fire Deparment: Firefighter/Paramedic Carlos Tavarez and Firefighter/Paramedic Joshua Stewart; Life Saving Award – EMS, St. Cloud Fire Rescue: Lieutenant Michael Palmer, Firefighter/Paramedic Alicia Taylor, Firefighter/EMT Justin Hall, Firefighter/Paramedic Robert Wise and Firefighter/EMT Ron Snavely; Life Saving Award – Law Enforcement, Deputy First Class Jason Gainor, Orange County Sheriff’s Office; Heroism Award – Law Enforcement, Corporal Eduardo Bernal, Orlando Police Department and Officer Jason Hajek, Orlando Police Department; Life Saving Award – Hospitality Security, Officer Edwin Radcliff, The Mall at Millenia; and Lifetime Achievement Award, Battalion Chief (retired) Michael Howell, Orange County Fire Rescue.
CFHLA would like to thank Radio One / Motorola for their continued partnership of this important community activity.