As
described by Mayor Wildes, "It was important to me, having been
a t Ground Zero myself, to have a place of solace where citizens
of our community could gather. We purposely made sure the bench
could fit two or three people so that people did not have to sit
alone."
Guest Speakers included Bernard Kerik, chairman of the Kerik Group,
and former 40th. Police Commissioner of New York City who played
a critical role on 9/11. His calm and forceful demeanor set a tone
for the resilience the country showed after that day. The images
of him and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani standing side by
side at Ground Zero directing the recovery efforts was an inspiration
to an entire nation. In his remarks, Kerik was complimentary of
the effort people from New Jersey demonstrated.
"As bad
as it was that day, it was also our best day. I remember when I
first got to Ground Zero, we had cop s and firemen from New Jersey
who assisted us in many ways. This is my opportunity to say thank
you". A series
of speeches punctuated by prayers and musical interludes paid
tribute to the victims of 9/11. Rabbi Chaim Poupko reminded attendees:
" Seven years have past since Sept. 11 and in Jewish thought, seven
is a very significant number. It's a number that represents change
and transition. The universe was transformed from chaos and void
to a world that sustains life in that time. This ceremony gives
us a chance to mark what is important in life." The large
crowd attending the event represented a diverse cross section of
Englewood's community. Listening to the remarks, they were reminded
of their own feeling of loss and sadness. Dr. Arthorine Walker,
world history teacher at Dwight Morrow High School described how
her students feel when the subject arises. "...The impact reverberates
for those too young to remember first-hand. The children feel very
sad, they know it brought change and they know it was a time of
deep loss. When we have a discussion it is always painful."
The event
ended with a moving tribute, "The Survivor's Tree," written by local
poets Christopher C. Gagliardi and Lynda Grace. It reads: "...I
saw a list of names being engraved in metal that shone the names
of heroes we will not forget..."
Reproduced
from The Suburbanite
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
by Michael J. Wildes, Mayor, City of Englewood
2-10 N. Van Brunt Street
Englewood, NJ 07631
201.871.6666
Paid
for by Friends of Michael J. Wildes For Mayor, Assemblyman Arnold
Brown, Treasurer
250
Allison Court, Englewood, NJ 07631
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