At a memorial ceremony in Wildwood, many members of the public donned shirts in remembrance of those who died in the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. Towns throughout Cape May County held commemorations of the victims and first responders on Wednesday.
Photos by Collin Hall
September 13, 2024• UPDATED 9/13/24
More than 100 residents, dignitaries, and first responders came to a 9/11 memorial ceremony at Byrne Plaza in Wildwood on Wednesday. Fire Captain Ernest Troiano III, left, and Wildwood Police Chief Joe Murphy raised a flag – while the crowd watched in silence – to memorialize the dead.Joe and Fran Mikolajewski, who live in Wildwood, said that they come to the ceremony every year. “My husband was a Philly firefighter for over 30 years,” Fran said. “This is really important to us.” Tom Messer, a Wildwood resident and a former member of the New York Police Department, gave the ceremony’s keynote speech. Messer was a first responder in New York City when the World Trade Center was struck. “This hurts,” he said. “I’m not up here because I’m a hero. I’m up here because it hurts. That pain has affected me in some shape or form every day of my life in the past 23 years.” Fire trucks, with 9/11 memorial flags and patriotic embellishments, lined the streets around Byrne Plaza. Students from Wildwood High School’s History II class came out for the ceremony. Wildwood Fire Department members bow their heads during the opening prayer. The City of Wildwood Honor Guard presented the colors at Byrne Plaza and helped begin the ceremony. Members of the Wildwood Police Department saluted as the colors were presented. A ceremonial bell was rung to remember those killed at the World Trade Center.
Contact Collin Hall at 608-886-8600 ext. 156, or by email at chall@cmcherald.com
