Valley gathers to show unity, express sorrow

‘At least a thousand people came, I’d say," said Hopewell Township Police Chief Michael Chipowksy. "It could have been as many as 2,000’

By: John Tredrea
   What must have been one of largest gatherings of people in this Valley’s history assembled on the front lawn of Central High School Sunday night for Hands Across Hopewell Valley.
   "At least a thousand people came, I’d say," said Hopewell Township Police Chief Michael Chipowksy. "It could have been as many as 2,000."
   "We’re here to express our unity and sorrow at a time of crisis," said Michael Hritz, master of ceremonies of the event and head of the Valley’s recreation program.
   As hundreds of residents of all ages lit and held candles, Mr. Hritz said, "We must open our doors and extend our reassurances to one another. We lost more American lives on Sept. 11 than on any other single day in our nation’s history, including the Civil War and World War II … we salute the spirit and strength of the city of New York."
   Clearly, the dominating aspect of Hands Across New Jersey was its inclusiveness.
   After Mr. Hritz’ opening remarks, the crowd was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by a group of local elementary students. As the national anthem was played by the Central High School band, the stars and stripes were paraded up Pennington-Titusville Road and onto the CHS lawn by an honor guard comprised of members of Hopewell Valley American Legion Post 339 and local emergency service volunteers.
   Speakers from several religious faiths addressed the crowd, which lit more and more candles as dusk began to fall.
   Speaking on behalf of the area’s Islamic community was Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed. "All lives are sacred in Islam," he said. "How can I not grieve when my Christian and Jewish neighbors are grieving?"
   Noting that followers of the Islamic faith were among the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Dr. Ahmed said, "This was a crime beyond the realm of any organized religion, and in the realm of evil."
   After Dr. Ahmed sat down to spirited applause, township Mayor Marylou Ferrara led the singing of "My Country ‘Tis of Thee." Later, Pennington Mayor Jim Loper led the singing of "America the Beautiful" and Hopewell Borough Mayor George Padgett led "God Bless America."
   A member of the Sikh faith with two children in Valley public schools, speaker Sarjit Singh Bhraj said, "We believe service before self is the highest form of activity."
   He praised the heroic work of emergency service workers in New York and Washington, D.C., and said, "Someone will have to answer for each and every one of the victims of these terrible crimes, and sooner rather than later."
   Noting with dismay that 200 or more Sikhs have been attacked nationwide since Sept. 11, Mr. Bhraj said, "I was born in Tanzania, where the embassy was bombed by terrorists. My wife was born in Kenya, where the embassy was also bombed. They were bombed simultaneously."
   His voice brimming with feeling, Mr. Bhraj continued, "Sikhs worldwide stand united with the American people in deploring the terrible events of Sept. 11. The Sikh community has pledged a monthly stipend to the Red Cross for an indefinite period."
   Mr. Bhraj drew perhaps the most emotionally charged response of a very emotional evening when he concluded, "I would like to bless all of those who are no longer with us today and God bless America!"
   Mr. Hritz returned to the podium and asked the crowd "for a round of applause" to thank the Valley’s emergency service volunteers. The vigorous response lasted over a minute.
   Pennington Fire Company’s Stewart Schwab then read the Fireman’s Prayer, followed by a reading of the EMS prayer by Cindi Orlandi, captain of the Pennington First Aid Squad.
   Addressing the crowd, Rabbi Stuart Pollock of the Har Sinai Congregation in Trenton said, "We have witnessed devastation beyond our comprehension, but we shall be healed. Those who destroy will always succumb to those who create."
   Speaking for a coalition of churches in the Hopewell Valley area, the Rev. William McQuoid of Pennington Presbyterian said, "So much has been stated by the presence of all of you tonight." He said that, although the gathering was a response to much grief and loss, he said it reminded him of the Psalm that reads, "how good and pleasant it is when the people of God dwell in unity."
   "Fostering a sense of hope, community and solidarity is not only good religion — it’s good mental health. We’re all here tonight because we need deep healing," the Rev. McQuoid said.