Twelfth Annual Cape May County Memorial Ceremony (and Dedication)

COURT HOUSE—Each year, towns and cities across the country reflect and remember the tragic events of Sept. 11 in their own way. This year, Cape May County was honored with a monument comprised of artifacts from all three crash sites: the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA.
The late afternoon ceremony began with a Presentation of Colors by the United States Coast Guard Color Guard and a Flag Salute by Recruit Brenden Santiago of the 36th Basic Class for Police Officers, CMC Police Academy. Then, a group recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance was followed by Lisa DiBruno of Dennis Township leading the crowd in a signing of the Star-Spangled Banner.
Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton welcomed everyone to the 12th Annual Cape May County Memorial Ceremony by saying, “What we should remember, what we should remind each other is that those 3,000 [who were killed on Sept. 11] were us, ladies and gentlemen. They were us.”
“In a period of one hour and 17 minutes, this nation changed.” Thornton said. “One hour and 17 minutes was all and look what it did to our country. We will never forget the sacrifices that were made. As citizens of this nation, we need to strengthen our commitment to the first responders and military,” a group of police academy cadets stood at attention throughout the ceremony.
Thornton introduced Assistant Pastor Terry Lothian of St. Peter’s Methodist Church, Ocean City. Lothian said, “This evening we pause to remember those horrible events … We remember the families—those that survived and our hearts and prayers go out to them.”
Commander Owen Gibbons, Executive Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard spoke next. He expressed his thanks for “the men and women who didn’t stop,” meaning the first responders and civilians who rushed to the aid of those who were dead, dying, or suffering on Sept. 11. “We are thankful for the hundreds of brave commercial and recreational maritime commanders who assisted in the rescue and transport of those in need.”
“I am blessed to interact with and stand by the young members of the Coast Guard today who have grown up in a time of constant violence,” Gibbons said. “Despite the danger in the world (or perhaps because of it, they have opted to protect, shield, and defend our country’s citizens—to protect the people from the sea, to protect the sea from the people, and to protect us from others attempting to use the sea to harm us.”
“As Americans,” Gibbons continued, “it is our sacred duty to remain vigilant. As a nation, we must be more resilient than ever before.”
Thornton then took his place back at the podium and echoed Gibbons words saying, “I feel confident in our future as I look at these young police recruits and Coast Guard men and women.” Thornton then introduced Rabbi Jeffrey Lipschultz of Wildwood’s Beth Judah Temple who offered a prayer of remembrance.
Cape May Prosecutor Robert Taylor spoke of the word “terrorism.” He said, “30 years ago, we didn’t hear that word too often. Now when you pick up a newspaper or go online, it is everywhere.” Taylor assured the crowd that Cape May County is doing everything it can to prevent terrorism in the future. “There is evidence that some of the terrorists [involved in the Sept. 11 attacks] were on Wildwood’s Boardwalk prior to that day, using ATM machines.” Admitting that America’s enemies did reach Cape May County prior to the attacks, Taylor then said, “every month the we meet with first responders and the folks who are involved with homeland security,” once again echoing the other speakers’ words of vigilance.
Next, the moment of the dedication arrived. Freeholders Leonard Desiderio, Kristine Gabor, Will Morley, E. Marie Hayes along with Chief of County Investigators Kenneth Super and Prosecutor Taylor joined Thornton at the unveiling of the 9-11 Memorial. They stood for pictures by the steel from the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and a rock from the Flight 93 National Memorial Site.
Father John O’Leary of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Court House then told the personal story of how his brother Paul “was in a building across the street from the Twin Towers [on Sept. 11.] Paul called Mom and said he was alright. Then the building fell on him. He lost his phone. He could have lost his life. Our lives can end at any time,” he said and then offered a prayer, asking God for wisdom and courage.
As Lisa DiBruno readied to lead the crowd in singing ‘God Bless America’, she first said, “It is hard to sing after a solemn ceremony such as this. But I hope you all will join us.”
They did.