ROYAL PALM BEACH - The village unveiled a new memorial Sept. 11 dedicated to first responders at Veterans Park, 1036 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.

The memorial consists of three statues, a police officer, firefighter and paramedic standing in a circle with the firefighter holding an infant and handing it over.

"I feel the people in this community have always held law enforcement in high regard," said County Commissioner Jess Santamaria. "It's a 24-hour commitment. They are here to protect our lives, our property and our children."

He said the village has always provided law enforcement with what they need including adequate compensation. He also added, "We have to do more than just recognize them once a year."

Mayor David Lodwick, host of the ceremony, said that when a tragedy strikes "human instinct is to run away but through training...first responders run in not out."

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said even though Sept. 11 was a terrible tragedy a few good things did come out of it. He said the attack galvanized the country and people came together.

"You hadn't seen that in a long time," he said. It also brought law enforcement and fire rescue closer together, he said.

While Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Steve Delai said, "What I saw after 9-11 is that the [first responders] really rededicated themselves to serving the public."

The memorial was sculpted by Frank Vega while Sharon Logan, a village recreation leader, was asked to draw the initial sketch.

"It's going to be there a lifetime [and] I'm thrilled to be a part of it," she said.

Royal Palm Beach resident of 13 years, Janice Magersuppe, was one of the residents who attended the dedication ceremony.

"It's a wonderful and beautiful dedication," she said. "I'm very proud to live in this community."

The plaque in front of the memorial reads:

Dedicated this 11th day of September, 2008, honoring those firefighters, paramedics, and law enforcement officers, past and present, who have served the Village of Royal Palm Beach. While many of us are fleeing calamity, these brave men and women are the first to arrive on the scene to save lives and protect property regardless of the threat to their personal safety.

"True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others, at whatever cost."
- Arthur Ashe