Township Residents Remember 9/11

Residents gathered outside the municipal building in Washington Township Sunday morning to remember the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that took the lives of thousands.

The township hosted its annual 9/11 ceremony beginning at 8:40 a.m. with a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the time when the first plane hit the World Trade Center.

People attended for a variety of reasons. Long-time township resident Catherine McGrath, who has two grandsons serving in the military, said she came to remember the victims.

"I came because it's our country and to honor the people and their families who suffered a loss," she said. "It's also for them to know that people still remember their loss."

Ben Pedata of Washington Township said Sunday was his first time at the township ceremony.

"It was the 10-year anniversary. I hadn't been to any before," he said. "I had to do it once at least."

In addition to the moment of silence, the ceremony included performances of "God Bless America," "The Star Spangled Banner," "Amazing Grace" and "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Wreaths from several township organizations, including the police department, fire department and ambulance corps, were placed by the 9/11 plaque in Veterans Square. The flag in front of the municipal complex was also lowered to half staff as Councilman Glenn Beckmeyer played "Taps" on the trumpet.

Police Chief Randy Ciocco said the ceremony was meant to honor those who died 10 years ago, whether they were in the airplanes, working in their offices or helping to rescue others. He mentioned the names of five people with connections to Washington Township: Gary Albero, Michael Diaz-Piedra, James Romito (the chief of the Port Authority Police), Ronald Magnusson and Richard Arano.

Ciocco said Americans must always remember what happened and continue to stay vigilant to prevent another tragedy.

"The further we get from Sept. 11, 2001, the more time that elapses, the more likelihood exists that we will become complacent and not report or even notice a warning sign that Homeland Security would like to be made aware of," he said. "We must not allow this to happen."

Mayor Janet Sobkowicz announced Sunday that the fire department just received a piece of steel from 9/11. Members of the department went to New York City to volunteer their services Sept. 12, 2001: Tom Sears, Brendan O'Sullivan, Adam Ehrenfeli and Ralph Kwasniewski. Sears said the four were taken by ferry and worked in the supply area.

On 9/11, Sears said the department was also involved. "Our fire department is part of the Northern Valley Task Force," he said. "We were all staged on the other side of the George Washington Bridge waiting for deployment."

Sobkowicz told the crowd Sunday that they should honor those lost by helping others in need, making Sept. 11 a day of service. She also said 9/11 should be a national day of patriotism.

She finished with a reading of the poem "We Shall Never Forget" by Alan Jankowski.

Jane Grabois, who attends the ceremony every year, said, "It's a very emotional day. It's nice to see the people from the township gather together to honor the victims."

Click to see a video of the ceremony.