Gloucester Township Citizens To Show Support For Police With Rally Ahead Of 9/11 Anniversary

Gloucester Township, NJ -- With the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks this weekend, a group of concerned citizens in Gloucester Township will come together in a show of unity and support for police.

The Rally To Support Those Who Protect and Serve is set for Saturday, Sept. 10, at Veterans Memorial Park. The park is located at 1261 Chews Landing Road. The rally begins at noon.

The event is sponsored by South Jersey Blue Crew and will feature special guest emcee Dom Giordano of 1210 WPHT, along with George Zallie of Zallie's ShopRite.

“This is an opportunity for the community to gather in public support of the men and women who protect and serve our community,” event organizer Tom Crone said. “We will be joined by veterans groups, scouts and others while a DJ provides entertainment. It has never been more important for the community at large to publicly show our support for our police, fire and EMTs especially on the eve of the 15th anniversary of 9/11.”

The event is inspired by the recent shooting of police officers. It hits especially close to home for Crone, whose father is a retired Philadelphia Police officer, and his brother and sister are current officers with the department. He calls the rally a "Family Thing."

“I grew up in row home Philadelphia where neighbors were police and firemen,” Crone said. “These were heroes that we had tremendous respect for.”

Giordano is also the son of a police officer, and a “great supporter of the badge,” Crone said. “It was a no brainer that he would join us on this day.”

He said that after five police officers were fatally shot in Dallas earlier this year, it was “time make a statement.”

"We need real heroes and the men and women who protect and serve our community fit the bill far better than whiny celebrities," Crone said.

The event is billed as a public display of gratitude for not only the men and women in uniform, but their families as well.

“This is the least we as a community can do, but it means a great deal to the cops and more to their families,” Crone said. “The 15th anniversary of 9/11 must be remembered and what better way to celebrate all that is good regarding our First Responders."

The attached image was posted on the Rally To Support Those Who Protect and Serve event's Facebook page.