Communities throughout Atlantic and Cape May counties will gather Friday to remember the nearly 3,000 people killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, marking the 25th anniversary of a day that changed the nation.
From morning ceremonies at firehouses and memorials to evening gatherings along the Jersey Shore, residents will have numerous opportunities to pay tribute to the victims, first responders and others whose lives were forever affected by the attacks.
This year's observances carry additional significance as the nation marks a quarter-century since hijacked airplanes struck the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon outside Washington, while passengers and crew aboard United Airlines Flight 93 fought back before the plane crashed in Pennsylvania.
Here are 9/11 remembrance ceremonies scheduled throughout Atlantic and Cape May counties Friday, Sept. 11:
ATLANTIC COUNTY
Mays Landing — 8:45 a.m.
Atlantic Cape Community College will hold a remembrance ceremony on the Quad at its Mays Landing campus, 5100 Black Horse Pike.
The gathering begins at 8:45 a.m., with the formal program scheduled for 9 a.m. The ceremony will include remarks from Atlantic Cape President Dr. Jason Abreu, a reflection and poem presented by Dr. Jennie Field and a moment of silence.
Longport — 9 a.m.
American Legion Post 469 will hold a brief memorial ceremony at Thomas B. Reed Park at 28th Street and Ventnor Avenue.
The ceremony will honor those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 attacks.
Margate — 9 a.m.
Margate's annual 9/11 remembrance will take place at Margate City Fire Department Station 1, 1 S. Washington Ave.
The ceremony is expected to include prayer by local clergy, musical tributes and remarks from local dignitaries as the community remembers the victims of the attacks.
Absecon — 9:30 a.m.
The Absecon 9/11 Memorial Founders Committee will hold a 25th anniversary ceremony at Heritage Park, 440 Mill Road, behind City Hall.
The city's memorial includes a 16-foot steel beam recovered from the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
Atlantic City — 10 a.m.
One of the area's largest commemorations will take place at the Saracini-O'Neill Atlantic City 9/11 Memorial at Jackson Avenue and the Boardwalk.
The ceremony will include the Sandpipers Pipes & Drums of Atlantic County, patriotic music and a 40-ton patriotic-themed sand sculpture by internationally known sand artist John Gowdy.
The program is also expected to include a memorial flag presentation, a three-round Civil War cannon volley by Last Salute and other tributes.
Michael Fedorko, Atlantic County's director of public safety, will serve as master of ceremonies.
The memorial itself honors two people with deep South Jersey connections who were killed in the attacks: Victor Saracini, captain of United Airlines Flight 175, which struck the World Trade Center's South Tower, and John O'Neill, the former FBI counterterrorism official who became head of security at the World Trade Center shortly before the attacks.
CAPE MAY COUNTY
Avalon — 8:30 a.m.
Avalon will hold its ceremony at Veterans Plaza in the downtown business district, next to the borough's World Trade Center artifact.
Retired New York City Police Department Lt. Thomas Messer will serve as guest speaker.
Messer was assigned to the NYPD's Manhattan Traffic Task Force on Sept. 11, 2001, and will share firsthand reflections from that day.
North Wildwood — 8:40 a.m.
North Wildwood's September 11th Commemoration will begin at 8:40 a.m. at the 15th Street Fire Station, at 15th Street and Central Avenue.
The ceremony is free and open to the public.
Sea Isle City — 9 a.m.
Sea Isle City will hold its annual Patriot Day ceremony at Veterans Park.
Mayor Leonard Desiderio will lead the observance, scheduled from 9 to 10 a.m.
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will move to the Sea Isle City Community Center, 4500 Central Ave.
Wildwood — 10 a.m.
Downtown Wildwood's 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony will take place at Byrne Plaza, 3400 Pacific Ave.
The observance will bring together first responders, police officers, firefighters and community and religious leaders.
The ceremony is expected to include a presentation of colors by the Wildwood Honor Guard and the traditional ceremonial ringing of the fire bell.
Wildwood Crest — 5:30 p.m.
Wildwood Crest will hold its annual 9/11 Memorial Service at Alameno Park, at New Jersey and Miami avenues.
The public ceremony will honor the victims of the terrorist attacks and those who responded in their aftermath.
Ocean City — 6 p.m.
Ocean City's annual "A Day to Remember" ceremony will be held at Ocean City Fire Department headquarters, 550 Asbury Ave.
The ceremony, scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m., will feature music, prayer and reflections remembering those who died while also recalling the extraordinary acts of courage and community that followed the attacks.
Cape May — 6 p.m.
The Kiwanis Club of Cape May and City of Cape May will host the city's annual Patriot Day ceremony at Cove Beach on Beach Avenue.
Local officials and organizations are expected to participate, with the ceremony honoring first responders and remembering those who were killed.
A moment of silence will accompany the lowering of the American flag at the Cove.
Attendees are encouraged to bring beach chairs.
Lower Township — 6 p.m.
A 9/11 remembrance ceremony is also scheduled at the Cape May County Airport on Breakwater Road in Lower Township.
The airport complex is home to the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, which has served as the setting for previous Lower Township Sept. 11 commemorations.
A Quarter-Century Later
The ceremonies come 25 years after the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed on Sept. 11, 2001, when 19 al-Qaida terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes. Two were flown into the World Trade Center towers, one struck the Pentagon and the fourth, United Flight 93, crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew members attempted to regain control of the aircraft.
For many South Jersey communities, the anniversary has remained an annual tradition — marked by ringing bells, lowering flags, playing Taps and gathering around pieces of World Trade Center steel that now stand as permanent local memorials.
Friday's ceremonies will carry a simple message that has endured for a quarter-century:
Never forget.
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.
