Manchester Honors 9/11 Victims In Ceremony

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township officials and residents paid tribute Monday to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 with a ceremony at Town Hall.

"We come together to pay tribute to the brave men and women, who selflessly sacrificed their lives to save others," Mayor Robert Arace said, "and to remember those who perished in the tragic events that unfolded on that day. It is a day in the collective memory of our nation. It was the day that tested our strength, resilience and unity in the face of unspeakable tragedy."

Included among those killed were 343 firefighters, police officers and first responders; hundreds more have died in the years since from illnesses related to recovery efforts in the days and weeks that followed in the rubble that remained after the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York collapsed.

The ceremony was attended by the Township Council, Police Chief Robert Dolan along with residents and members of Whiting Volunteer Fire Company, Manchester Volunteer Fire Company, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, Manchester Division of Emergency Services, and local Scout organizations.

The Manchester Township Police Department's Honor Guard and the Junior ROTC Color Guard from Manchester Township High School performed the Presentation of the Colors at the ceremony.

Councilman Joseph Hankins read the names of each Ocean County resident lost on Sept. 11, including Manchester Township resident Cira Patti and Arace issued a proclamation in recognition of Sept. 11th, "honoring the profound ways in which this day has touched so many lives and brought out the best in our country's character," officials said.

Chaplain Daniel R. Schafer provided the keynote address, speaking about the role first responders played in the aftermath of the attack. Rev. David Rittinger of Whiting Bible Church delivered the invocation and benediction. Larry Butts performed "Taps," and Marisiya Goins sang the national anthem and "Amazing Grace."