Family members and survivors gathered at Veterans Park in Surfside across the street from the site of the former building early Saturday morning to honor their loved ones.
At 1:22 a.m., they lit a symbolic torch to mark when a large portion of the building collapsed. It will burn for about a month, signifying the length of the search and rescue operation.
Then they lit lanterns and released them on the beach.
Miami Dade Fire Rescue Chief Raied Jadallah consoles Kerry Billedeau after lighting the torch to honor those who died during the collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside. The Second Annual Remembrance Ceremony was held at 1:22 AM at Veterans Park across from the site of the collapse on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Daniel Urgelles and Sebastian Gonzalez release a lantern to honor Mercedes and Raymond Urgelles who died during the collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida. Family, friends, and survivors gathered on the beach to honor the 98 lives lost on the two-year anniversary at 1:22 AM on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Debbie Hill lights a lantern during an event honoring lives lost in the collapse of Champlain Towers South two years ago on Saturday, June 24, 2023 in Surfside, Florida. Hill’s father, Richard Augustine, died in the collapse. Lauren Witte lwitte@miamiherald.com
A lantern is released in honor of Harry Rosenberg, a Champlain Towers South collapse victim, who died two years ago on Saturday, June 24, 2023 in Surfside, Florida. Lauren Witte lwitte@miamiherald.com
Adrianna Lafont, Ivonne Lafont Villagra, and Mia Lafont, left to right, visit the memorial wall at Veterans Park across from the site of the Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside, Florida. The three attended the Second Annual Remembrance Ceremony in honor of their relative Manny Lafont on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Deven Gonzalez, a survivor who escaped the collapse of Champlain Towers South, kisses a bouquet of flowers in honor of her father Edgar Gonzalez who died as she reaches out to her grandfather Jose Antonio Gonzalez on the two-year anniversary in Surfside, Florida on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Remnants of the Champlain Towers South are seen beyond the flowers placed on a fence surrounding the site on the second anniversary of the building collapse in Surfside, Florida on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
At 10 a.m., Vice Mayor Jeffrey Rose led a second ceremony on behalf of the town of Surfside. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava spoke as well.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to the crowd during the Second Annual Remembrance Ceremony of the Champlain Towers South building collapse at Veterans Park on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Surfside, Florida. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
People react from their seats during the Second Annual Remembrance Ceremony of the Champlain Towers South building collapse at Veterans Park on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Surfside, Florida. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
A woman cries from her seat during the Second Annual Remembrance Ceremony of the Champlain Towers South building collapse at Veterans Park on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Surfside, Florida. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Kishore Parekh, right, and Purnima Parekh, left, interact with a poster with pictures of the 98 lives lost during the Champlain Towers South building collapse on June 24, 2021, before the Second Annual Rememberance Ceremonny of the incident at Veterans Park on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Surfside, Florida. The Parekh family lost their daughter Bhavna Patel, 38, along with their son-in-law Vishal Patel , 42, and their 1-year-old grand daughter Aishani. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
People visit the site of the Champlain Towers South building collapse before the Second Annual Remembrance Ceremony at Veterans Park on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Surfside, Florida. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
People visit the site of the Champlain Towers South building collapse before the Second Annual Remembrance Ceremony at Veterans Park on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Surfside, Florida. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published June 24, 2023 at 8:38 AM.
