25 Years After 9/11: Nutley Honors Victims, Reflects On Unity

NUTLEY, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Township of Nutley. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Commissioner Alphonse Petracco led a remembrance ceremony last week honoring the fallen heroes of 9/11 at the Township of Nutley’s 9/11 Memorial located in Monument Park in front of the Town Hall.

Following a performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by the Nutley High School Choir and an invocation by Pastor Thomas Nicastro of St. Mary’s Church, Petracco spoke with deep emotion about September 11, 2001.

“I cannot believe it's 25 years since our towers came down,” the commissioner said. “As we all remember, it was a bright, sunny, beautiful day, and then, all of a sudden, America was under attack. The older I get the more I can't forget the people we lost. It was so vivid watching all those people standing at the windows of the Trade Center, clinging to life."

While acknowledging the pain and division that can still surround the anniversary, Petracco urged those in attendance to hold onto hope.

“I'm trying to keep today positive, but I would be remiss if I didn't say I see podcasts and social media where people are saying that Americans deserved 9/11. What a world we live in. To hear some of these comments is very upsetting. But my mother, who passed away seven years ago yesterday, would always tell me when things were difficult and ugly, ‘Alphonse, we have one thing in life, and that’s hope,’” he said.

“I remember how America came together after 9/11. There was a flag on every building. People showed kindness to one another, and communities supported their first responders. I saw people letting police and firemen cut lines at the ShopRite. No matter our differences, we are all Americans. We need to come together, remember that, and carry hope forward.”

Petracco then read the names of the three Nutley residents who lost their lives in the attacks:

• Lt. Robert Cirri
• Frank LaLama
• Dorota Kopiscko

Their names were followed by a moment of silence and the ringing of the Township Fire Bell.

Petracco then invited Mayor John Kelly III and Commissioner Mauro Tucci to share their reflections.

“We will always remember what happened on 9/11, and this will always be a day of reflection,” Tucci said. “Commissioner Petracco’s message is an important and positive one. Now more than ever, amid the division in our country, it is time to come together. It is time to set aside the nonsense, remember who we are, and remember what Nutley, New Jersey, is all about. Nutley has often taken the lead, and we will do so again.”

Kelly addressed the students in attendance, encouraging them to remember not only the tragedy of September 11, but also the compassion, courage, and unity that followed.

“On September 11, 2001, I was in Jersey City,” Kelly said. “I watched those towers burn. I felt them fall. On that day, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives because of hatred. But what I choose to focus on is the love that Americans showed one another.”

The mayor reflected on the courage of police officers, firefighters, and everyday people who responded to the attacks and helped strangers during one of the nation’s darkest days.

“You had police officers and firefighters running into those buildings, some never to return,” Kelly said. “That kind of heroism comes from love. We should also remember the everyday heroes: the strangers who helped one another through that day. People across the country came together as Americans, united in hope for a better future.”

“I hope you take a moment to reflect not only on the tragedy of that day, but also on the hope, love, and heroism that emerged from it,” Kelly continued. “I hope that we can experience that unity again and build a better future for all of us, our children, our grandchildren, and especially for you.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here.