Marty Small announced the contribution during Friday's 25th anniversary ceremony at the Saracini-O'Neill Atlantic City 9/11 Memorial
ATLANTIC CITY — Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Friday by announcing a $25,000 donation to the volunteer organization that maintains the city's 9/11 memorial.
Small presented the contribution during Friday morning's remembrance ceremony at the Saracini-O'Neill Atlantic City 9/11 Memorial at Jackson Avenue and the Boardwalk.
The money comes from proceeds of Small's inaugural gala, held in May as a charitable fundraiser benefiting local organizations and community causes.
“This is an opportunity to give back to the people who work year-round to preserve this important memorial and make sure its meaning is never forgotten,” Small said.
“Today is also about remembering those we lost and honoring the heroes who continue to inspire us,” he added. “To the families who lost loved ones, to the brave men and women who served, and to the police officers, firefighters and first responders across our nation who answered the call, we salute you for your service and sacrifice.”
Volunteers maintain memorial year-round
The Saracini-O'Neill Atlantic City 9/11 Memorial is operated by a private, all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to remembering those killed in the Sept. 11 attacks as well as members of the military who died during the nation's subsequent response to terrorism.
In addition to organizing Atlantic City's annual Sept. 11 ceremony, volunteers maintain the memorial throughout the year, plant seasonal flowers, place American flags around the site on patriotic holidays and follow military protocol in raising and lowering the site's main American flag.
The organization says donations and volunteer support are essential to continuing those efforts.
Its longer-term goals include constructing a memorial wall bearing the names of the nearly 700 New Jersey residents killed on Sept. 11 and establishing a scholarship fund honoring local victims Victor Saracini, John O'Neill, Patricia Cody and Andrew Alameno.
Memorial honors Atlantic City connections to 9/11
The memorial is named for Capt. Victor Saracini, an Atlantic City native and pilot of United Airlines Flight 175, and John O'Neill, who attended Holy Spirit High School and became one of the nation's leading FBI terrorism experts before leaving the bureau and becoming security chief at the World Trade Center.
Both men were killed on Sept. 11, 2001.
The memorial also recognizes Patricia Cody and Andrew Alameno, two other victims with strong Atlantic County connections, as well as eight Atlantic County members of the armed forces who died during post-9/11 military service.
Atlantic City marks 25 years since attacks
Friday's ceremony drew a large crowd to the Boardwalk for the milestone anniversary.
The program included an honor guard, wreath placement, patriotic music, a bell ceremony, Taps and a rifle volley.
Atlantic City native Lt. Cmdr. Shane Fox, U.S. Navy (ret.), was presented with the memorial's 2026 Hero Award.
Fox, a 1999 Atlantic City High School graduate and U.S. Naval Academy alumnus, retired from the Navy in 2023 following a 20-year career and now teaches technology and engineering at Old Mill High School in Maryland.
Members of the Atlantic City police and fire departments participated in the ceremony along with veterans, first responders, families, community members and county and state officials.
More gala donations coming Wednesday
Friday's $25,000 contribution is not expected to be the only organization receiving money from Small's inaugural gala.
The mayor plans to announce the total amount raised by the May event on Wednesday, Sept. 16, during a 10 a.m. news conference at the Hard Rock Cafe inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
Checks are also expected to be presented to additional local organizations receiving portions of the proceeds.
That means today's announcement likely gives us another follow-up story Wednesday once we know the total raised and which organizations receive money.
For the volunteers behind the Saracini-O'Neill Memorial, however, the first $25,000 was announced on a day specifically devoted to their mission.
“Today is also about remembering those we lost and honoring the heroes who continue to inspire us,” Small said.
About the Author
Karen Johnson
With over 30 years of news experience in major markets like Los Angeles, Denver, and Columbus, Karen now covers our area for South Jersey NewsBeat. She also brings her articulate and conversational news delivery to WOND radio listeners every weekday. Her background includes work with the NBC Radio Network, and she thrives in fast-paced news environments.
