The anniversary of 9/11 is upon us. I think everyone we know will be thinking at some point about where they were 17 years ago when they first heard that “a plane crashed into the World Trade Center…”. And for so many, their lives will have been forever changed. I was at the DMV in North Bergen. I heard the news over the radio. And when the second plane hit I left abruptly and made my way home to Hoboken just in time to watch the second tower collapse along with the rest of the world. Although I was spared any personal loss that day I, like all of you, continue to ache for all of our friends and neighbors who were not as lucky.
Every year Hoboken holds its own interfaith memorial service on 9/11. It will be tomorrow, September 11th at 6 pm in Pier A Park. Please bring your umbrella as there is a chance of rain showers. But don’t let the rain keep you away. It is always a moving ceremony and one made better with more people. If there is thunder and lightning, the ceremony will be moved to DeBaun Auditorium. If you have any questions about the location, please check social media – the City will be providing updates as necessary (FB, Twitter, Nixle).
For those unaware, Hoboken suffered some of the highest casualties across the state with 56 Hoboken residents losing their lives that day. In 2002, the City planted 56 Ginko trees as a living memorial at the top of Pier A Park (closest to the road). And last year, the City unveiled a somber, yet breathtaking sculpture for those victims – 56 panes of glass aligning with the World Trade Center site, each inscribed with the name of those who died that day. If you haven’t yet made a point to go see both, please do. This is a picture I took last year from the unveiling.
For those reading this who did suffer losses that day, please know that your Hoboken friends and neighbors are among the many who hope that with each passing day you have more smiles than tears in your memories of those you have lost.
