BRICK – A quarter of a century is a long time. To some, it still seems like yesterday. Images from 25 years ago never seem to fade away with the passing of years.
On a recent Sunday, The Guild TheaterWorks of Brick held a benefit concert for those impacted by the attacks on September 11, 2001. Those who were alive then still remember where they were, who their friends were, and what they were doing on that tragic day. Others who may not remember, or who weren’t born yet, still pay homage to those who sacrificed everything that day.
To honor the fallen, the local theater group came together to perform a medley of American songs to raise money for veterans. This event was billed as 9/11 Benefit – A Guild Theaterworks Concert. The concert was held at 373 Adamston Road at the V.F.W. Post 8867.
Corey Crawford, President of The Guild Theaterworks, helped organize the benefit and, with the group’s help, entertained attendees.
“We decided to put together a concert for the 25th Anniversary of 9/11,” said Crawford. “It’s a collection of patriotic songs, some other readings, and even some trivia; a mix of things to entertain everybody and to pay remembrance to everyone from 9/11.”
Music and spoken word at the performance ranged from politicians’ speeches at the time of 9/11 to country songs of the era.
“They are recorded songs and music with singers performing different numbers,” he said. “Some of the songs are country, some are patriotic.”
Crawford spoke from the heart about what he and the other performers want people to take away from the event.
“We’re hoping that everyone will come together as one at the time of 9/11. It’s a celebration for anybody. There’s no politics involved in this. It’s just a collection to get everyone together and pay tribute to the heroes from 9/11. To hopefully get us to remember what it was like on 9/12, when everybody was together and united. Everybody was American.”
Crawford, who has been doing theater since high school, also directed and put the show together. He has also been with Guild Theaterworks (formerly the Brick Community Players) since 2000.
“We do have some youth participating in it, too. These are people who weren’t even alive when it happened,” he said.
The show started with a patriotic opening. Members of the JROTC Program at Toms River North High School presented the colors while the group on stage led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Four JROTC members held the American Flag and the Toms River North Army ROTC flag before the audience. Frank Hughes, music director of the Toms River Municipal Band, performed TAPS on the bugle shortly after.
The first half of the event focused on singing over recorded music, with another group coming on stage next to perform spoken word. Among the songs performed was “Amazing Grace,” followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence. The rest of the concert focused on several patriotic songs, performed either as solos or as a group. Some songs, such as “God Bless America,” brought the crowd to its feet. A reading of the Gettysburg Address, read aloud by one of the group’s younger members, resonated with the audience.
Surrounded by American flags and the red, white, and blue, a spirit of pride filled the room. A special flag in the back of the hall had the names of those impacted in 9/11. It’s called The Flag of Heroes. The red stripes held the names of those who perished that day from the emergency services. Firefighters, police, and EMS were among those printed in the red stripes of the American flag.
Perhaps the most heartfelt segment of the concert was when Crawford spoke at the microphone about a piece he wrote after 9/11. He said he wrote the words after watching a special performance at a 9/11 tribute event. This reading came toward the end of the first half, with a short break before the second half.
With American regalia, sounds of the time, and patriotic decorations, the event raised over $1,300 thanks to generous donors, according to Crawford. Hopefully, more donations can come in to help those still affected. With help from the Guild Theaterworks, and local patrons, the work continues.
100% of the donations, which are still coming in, will be donated to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. This group was started by the Siller family. Stephen Siller was a firefighter in New York. He was just finishing his shift and heading home when the attacks started. He abandoned his truck at the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, which was closed for security reasons, and headed toward the towers on foot. The nonprofit has spent decades helping veterans in his memory. Currently, they are building a veterans village in Berkeley Township.
A QR code for donations on the Guild’s Facebook Page (facebook.com/guildtheatreworks) will remain active for about a year, Crawford said.
For those interested in learning more about The Guild Theaterworks, or some of their upcoming performances, visit their website: guildtheatreworks.com
For those who want to donate to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation through the group’s link, visit: dogood.t2t.org/guildtheatreworks26
