Burlington County officials, first responders and residents
came together Friday morning to pay their respects to the more than 3,000
victims who lost their lives 19 years ago during a solemn 9/11 Remembrance
Ceremony.
Held outside the County Emergency Services Training Center,
the 30-minute ceremony marked the first time the County hosted a memorial
service on the anniversary date. Deputy Director Tom Pullion said the County
opted to start the new tradition this year in order to honor the victims and
remember the tragedy amid the country’s struggle against the coronavirus
pandemic, which has caused many annual 9/11 services to be cancelled or held
virtually.
Pullion, who lead the service, said the County and nation
still has a responsibility to remember the attacks and the lives that were
lost.
“We have a responsibility to remember the victims and share
with both current and future generations the raw emotions of that day. The
confusion. The uncertainty. The fear, anger and sadness but also the
selflessness and heroism shown as first responders rushed into the burning
towers and Pentagon without a moment’s hesitation or how volunteers traveled
miles away to Ground Zero to assist with the recovery effort. And most
importantly, how such a horrible tragedy brought us together as one nation,
blind to race, religion, status or political party. We became one national
family, united in mourning but also in belief that together we can overcome
whatever challenges we face,” Pullion said.
“Today, with our country once again facing enormous
challenges, we need that same unity, that same resolve and that same faith. We
hope that today’s ceremony can help put us on that path,” he added.
The ceremony also featured remarks from Burlington County
Prosecutor Scott Coffina, state Senator Troy Singleton, Congressman Andy Kim
and County Board member Dan O’Connell, who read the names and biographies of
seven of the victims who resided in Burlington County or had strong ties to the
county.
“This isn’t just a tragedy for our generation and those
that were living 19 years ago. It is a tragedy for our country now and forever,
and it is something that should always guide our nation going forward for generations
to come,” Congressman Kim said during his remarks. “So I’m glad we’re gathering
here today and I hope we will continue to do this for as long as we’re alive. I
hope we continue to do this for as long as we’re a nation, because that is what
this moment is for us. It changed us forever and we know it will make us
stronger forever.”
Prosecutor Coffina, who is the county’s highest ranking law
enforcement official, said the ceremony marked his first time addressing a 9/11
service.
“Perhaps the worst day in our history was in some ways also
our finest hour. First responders honored their calling by rushing towards
danger in order to save others, while ordinary people, who took no oath,
demonstrated their humanity by trying to help their co-workers and perfect
strangers find their way out of the burning towers,” Coffina said. “As a nation
we woke up on Sept. 12 truly unified. We could all benefit from finding that
spirit again. It should not take such a traumatic event for us to do
so.”
Singleton also called for residents to remember the
selflessness of the police, fire and emergency service personnel who were
willing to sacrifice their own lives in order to try to save “every life they
could.”
“Nineteen years ago our country was transfixed and transformed.
But out of that anguish and pain, there was a sense of unity in our country
that pulled us forward,” Singleton said. “When we look at the conditions we
have today … we should harken back to the selflessness that was demonstrated by
those in public safety that day. Use their selflessness as not just a testament
to their own personal character but a testament to what is truly the fabric of
our country and what has strengthened our country through its darkest moments
and carried us forward; it is the resolve that we are always stronger together
and when we work together.”
Following the remarks and the reading of the Burlington
County victims, Sheriff Basantis placed a wreath at the base of the obelisk
memorializing the county’s fallen emergency services members. The Sheriff was
joined by Mount Laurel Police Chief Steve Riedener, Westampton Fire and EMS
Chief Craig Farnsworth and Endeavor Emergency Squad Chief David Ekelburg.
The ceremony was livestreamed on the county’s Facebook page
and video from the ceremony is available on the page.
The seven 9/11 victims with Burlington County ties are as
follows:
Nicholas Bogdan, 34, Pemberton Township
resident
Pamela Gaff, 51, Westampon native
Joan D. Griffith, 39, Willingboro resident
LeRoy W. Homer Jr., 36, Evesham resident
Gricelda James, 44, Willingboro resident
Patrick Quigley IV, 40, Willingboro native
Kevin York, 41, Pemberton Township native
Burlington County officials and public
safety officers participated in a Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony Friday at the
Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center. From left to right are:
Congressman Andy Kim; New Jersey Sen. Troy Singleton; Father Matthew
Tucker, chaplain of the Burlington County Fire Chiefs Association; Burlington
County Administrator Eve Cullinan; County Board member Dan O’Connell; County
Public Safety Director Gary Gubbie, Burlington County Sheriff Anthony Basantis;
Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina; County Deputy Director Tom Pullion;
Mount Laurel Police Chief Steve Riedener; Westampton Fire Chief Craig
Farnsworth; Endeavor Emergency Squad Chief David Ekelburg
Deputy Director Tom Pullion speaks during the service