Local first responders to be honored on Easter at Miami Beach hotel
On Easter, children of local firefighters and police officers can hunt for eggs throughout the Miami Beach Sagamore Hotel’s lobby, pool and garden areas.
All Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach first responders, along with their children, are invited to attend a complimentary brunch and Easter egg hunt at the hotel Sunday.
Marty Taplin, the owner of the “Art Hotel,” hustled to orchestrate the event in less than 48 hours.
His urgent generosity was inspired by a “touching” newspaper photograph, that he considers art.
On March 27, the Miami Herald ran a story and a photo from the funeral of Rafael Garcia, a popular Miami-Dade firefighter from station No. 5, who died days after a brain tumor was detected.
The photo shows multiple officers in uniform saluting.
“There they are mourning the death of their brethren,” Taplin said. “I want to honor them.”
Taplin plans to display the photo, taken by staff photographer Al Diaz, permanently somewhere within the hotel.
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If you go
What: A complimentary brunch and Easter egg hunt for Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach first responders and their children
When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Sagamore Hotel, 1671 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
This story was originally published April 3, 2015 at 9:12 PM with the headline "Local first responders to be honored on Easter at Miami Beach hotel."