Manchester's 21st Anniversary 9/11 Service Honors Lives Lost, Bravery Displayed

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester officials and first responders gathered at the Whiting Volunteer Fire Company's firehouse on Sunday to mark the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on the United States.

The commemoration on Sunday honored the 2,996 people killed in the 9/11 attacks, including Cira Marie Patti, a Manchester resident.

At the World Trade Center, 2,763 died, including 343 firefighters and paramedics, 23 New York City police officers and 37 Port Authority police officers after American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 crashed, according to History.com. At the Pentagon, 189 people were killed, including 64 on American Airlines Flight 77, the airliner that struck the building.

The service also honored the bravery and sacrifice of the first responders who ran to help those caught up in the attacks and who searched for survivors, and later the remains of those who were killed, and suffered from illnesses caused by their service.

"America was targeted because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world," Mayor Robert Hudak said. "And no one will keep that light from shining. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve."

Hudak read the names of each Ocean County resident lost on Sept. 11, including Cira Patti, and issued a proclamation recognizing Patriot Day in Manchester Township.

Rocky Raimonda, a retired member of the New York Fire Department, spoke about his experiences serving as a firefighter on Sept. 11, 2001. Rev. James Davis, the retired pastor of Whiting Methodist Church and the Manchester police chaplain, delivered the invocation and benediction.

Jurissa DeOcampo performed "Taps," and Marisiya Goins sang the national anthem and "Amazing Grace" during the ceremony.

"We paused this morning, all of these years later, to reflect upon those lives lost on that fateful day and in the days and years that followed," town officials said. "Some were lost as they went about their everyday lives. Others as they rushed, selflessly, to respond to the scene. And yet more gave all in service to our Country in the aftermath of the attack."

Hudak read the names of each Ocean County resident lost on Sept. 11, including Cira Patti, and issued a proclamation recognizing Patriot Day in Manchester Township.

In addition to Hudak, Council President Joan Brush, Police Chief Robert Dolan and members of the township's volunteer fire companies and the Manchester Division of Emergency Services and local Scout organizations took part in the ceremony.