This rare, strikingly detailed Challenge Coin commemorates the Broward County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) salute to the victims and heroes of September 11th, 2001, as honored during the BSO’s ten-year anniversary 9/11 memorial service “Lest We Forget”. On Sept 11, 2001 (commonly referred to as 9/11), the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda conducted a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks on the United States. Of the 2,996 victims killed on 9/11, 343 were firefighters and 72 were law enforcement officers who courageously answered the call.

The Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) is a full-service, nationally accredited public safety agency. BSO's Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) serves 16 specific areas in Broward County, including the Broward County Courthouse, the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, areas of the Everglades and the county's waterways, including Port Everglades, all areas of unincorporated Broward and more than 14 cities and towns that have contracted with BSO to provide law enforcement services. BSO DLE also administers the agency's Special Units and Divisions section-specially trained and staffed units that deal with unique law enforcement situations including the Mounted Patrol, Marine and Dive Rescue Unit, the Motorcycle Unit and the Crime Lab among others.

On Tuesday morning, Sept 11, 2001, four passenger airliners were hijacked by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists shortly after the respective flights departed from airports in the northeastern United States bound for California. Two of the planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were crashed into the North and South towers, respectively, of the World Trade Center complex in New York City. Within an hour and 42 minutes, both 110-story towers collapsed, with debris and the resulting fires causing partial or complete collapse of all other buildings in the World Trade Center complex, including the 47-story 7 World Trade Center tower, as well as significant damage to ten other large surrounding structures. A third plane, American Airlines Flight 77, was crashed into the Pentagon (the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense) in Arlington County, Virginia, leading to a partial collapse of the building's western side. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, initially was steered toward Washington, D.C., but crashed into a field in Stonycreek Township near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after its passengers rallied to overcome the hijackers. The attacks killed 2,996 people and injured over 6,000 others and caused at least $10 billion in property and infrastructure damage and $3 trillion in total costs. It was the deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in the history of the United States, with 343 and 72 killed respectively.

This uncirculated Challenge Coin measures approximately 1.75 inches in diameter, featuring the World Trade Center skyline, in front of which the Pentagon is imposed, inside of which is marked “93” representing the flight forced down in Pennsylvania.

Note about the seller: I am a retired Army veteran with deep love for God, family, and Country. Proceeds from my sales of Challenge Coins will be used to exhibit iconic images that honor America's heritage and celebrate our blessed life and liberty. Please visit the preview of America's Gallery on Twitter at usagallery.

Inventory:  All of the listed Challenge Coins are in my current on-hand inventory and available for immediate shipment. I purchased the listed Challenge Coins in wholesale lots from several manufacturers and commercial distributors. None of the coins for sale were presented to me during my service, nor were any listed coins acquired from military or government owned inventories.

Feedback:  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or need any additional information. God bless America!