Cape May County’s Sept. 11 10th Anniversary Observance Included Clerics

CREST HAVEN — Clerics were an integral part of Cape May County’s 10th anniversary observance of Sept. 11, 2001. Several who addressed the gathered assemblage noted that, while New York City may have prohibited religious leaders from joining the Sept. 11 service at ground zero, they were pleased Cape May County officials included them and the prayers they offered for the souls of those lost in the terrorists’ attacks on America a decade ago.
Clerics included U.S.Coast Guard Chaplain Aaron Miller of the Coast Guard Recruit Training Center, Cape May, Rabbi Jeffrey Lipschultz of Beth Judah Temple, Wildwood, who offered prayers for the dead in Hebrew and English, Pastor Andrew Surace, Covenant Life Church, Marmora, who had spent time at ground zero shortly after the attack, and who remained there to assist first responders and others, Monsignor William Quinn, retired pastor, St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, Stone Harbor, and Associate Pastor David A. Smitley, Second Cape May Baptist Church, Marmora.
U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd) took exception with those who believe Sept. 11, 2001 should be forgotten, and placed in the past. He noted such a terrible attack on the nation should never be forgotten or down played.
State Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-1st) reminded the gathering, many of whom used umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun, that after the attack, many distinctions disappeared, while the major of people united in their resolution, and were proud to be Americans.
Rocco DiSilvestro, deputy fire marshal, presented the freeholders with a relic from the World Trade Center. The small piece of metal formed a cross, and will be enshrined in a fitting place in a county building.
Wildwood Fire Chief and county Fire Marshal Conrad Johnson presented the board with a floral tribute that the board formally placed under a tree dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Singers at the event included Mark Huff, who sand the “Star Spangled Banner,”, Betty Shelton, of the Department of Aging sand “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” and Marvin Moye, a volunteer with Retired Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P.) sang “God Bless America.”
The U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Ceremonial Detail from Training Center Cape May rendered a rifle salute and played “Taps” to conclude the ceremony.