MANCHESTER – Officials and residents of the township marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at Manchester Town Hall.
Among the presenters was Manchester Police Lt. Mike Lychock (retired) who recalled the harrowing journey to provide assistance in New York City following the attacks.
“A Trooper leaned towards me and said: ‘remember, stay together. It’s a war zone there.’ And suddenly, you realize the seriousness. As we remember this tragedy, the loss of life on that day, and how it affected us all in so many ways, I remain proud of serving with those fine officers and civilians,” Lychock said.
Police Chief Antonio Ellis read the names of each Ocean County resident who perished on September 11th. Among them was Manchester resident Cira Marie Patti, 40, who was working as a trading assistant at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods on the 89th floor of 2 World Trade Center.
Also participating in the ceremony were Rev. Daniel Schnitzer of Whiting Bible Church, who delivered the Invocation and Benediction; the Manchester Police Honor Guard and Manchester High School ROTC Color Guard, who performed the Presentation of Colors; Marisiya Goins, who sang stirring renditions of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Amazing Grace;” and to close the morning’s events Maison Martinez performed “Taps.” A patriotic musical tribute featuring “God Bless America” was performed by Reverend Dr. Frank Watson.
First responders were also honored during the ceremony and it was noted that several of the township’s first responders went to Ground Zero for several days to assist with rescue efforts.
“Let us never forget the lives taken, the heroes made, the unity we found in the face of tragedy,” Mayor Joseph Hankins said. “May we continue to honor them, not only today, but every day, through our actions, our compassion, and our commitment to one another.”
The mayor joined Council President Michele Zolezi, Council Vice President James A. Vaccaro, Councilwoman Sandy Drake, Police Chief Antonio Ellis, emergency first responders, State Senator Carmen Amato and State Representative Brian Rumpf, for the remembrance ceremony.
Officials thanked everyone who attended and participated in creating such a memorable event to mark the anniversary of September 11th. A special thank you went out to the Manchester Recreation Department, the Whiting Volunteer Fire Company, Manchester Volunteer Fire Company, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, Manchester Division of Emergency Services, Manchester Buildings and Grounds, and Manchester High School ROTC Color Guard. Days later, at a Township Council meeting, Zolezi said “25 years ago our nation experienced a tragedy that forever changed us. Tonight, we remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the first responders who ran toward danger and the families and communities that continue to carry the impact today. We also remember the extraordinary courage, sacrifice and unity shown by Americans in the days that followed.”
