09/05/2026
From serving his community to protecting our Rye Ranch family, Guardian Steve continues to answer the call to serve. We are so thankful to have him watching over our students and staff! 💙🇺🇸
Twenty-five years later, they are still answering the call to serve. 💙🇺🇸
The Manatee Schools Television team recently had the profound honor of sitting down with five members of our Safety & Security Department, whose lives were forever shaped by September 11, 2001.
They each shared powerful memories from the hours, days, and months following the attack on the World Trade Center — from heartbreaking to hopeful.
Four of these men were already serving their communities as members of the New York Police Department. One was a citizen, working just two blocks from Ground Zero that day, and what he witnessed inspired him to devote his life to protecting others.
Today, in retirement, they continue that mission as School Safety Guardians — standing watch over our campuses, protecting our students and staff, and bringing a lifetime of service into Manatee County public schools each day.
Next Friday, we invite our families, employees, and community to pause and listen as they share their stories 25 years later.
Their words remind us that service does not end when the uniform changes. It continues in every life protected, every hallway watched, and every student kept safe.
You can watch the video debut next Friday, September 11th, on Manatee Schools Television and social media channels.
