The Westlake adult community in Jackson has once again honored the victims and heroes of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on America. Residents and invited guests gathered at the community’s clubhouse on Sept. 11 to remember the day and the deeds of many Americans.
State Assemblyman Ron Dancer delivers remarks during the Sept. 11 ceremony at the Westlake adult community in Jackson. Dancer said that in the war on terrorism, people pursue peace by pursuing the individuals who threaten those who bring the enemy to justice. Westlake Board of Trustees President Joseph Pisani said, “Each of us has a personal experience and recollection of the events of 9/11. I recall watching the television [and seeing] the twin towers coming down in utter amazement. I remember the feeling of helplessness and I understood that it will never be the same in terms of our security.”
Pisani said it was horrifying to see people running in the streets of Manhattan and to see a situation in which there were very few survivors. He asked those in attendance what had been learned from that day.
Guests at the Westlake Sept. 11 ceremony stand for the singing of “God Bless America.” He said it was a renewed pride in America. He described being at a professional football game 10 days after the attack and said that after the national anthem was sung, there were no politics, no color differences and no differences of culture. Instead, there was a unity in the stadium you could feel.
“For months thereafter, people got together and worked very hard at healing one another,” he said. “People from all across America and from all walks of life came to see what could be done.”
New Jersey Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, who is also the mayor of Plumsted, was a guest speaker.
“It was nine days after 9/1l, Sept. 20, and in the normal course of events, a president would go before a joint session in Congress to give the State of the Union Address,” said Dancer.
“But, I recall on Sept. 20, no report was necessary because the state of our union had been given by the courage of those passengers [on each plane]. Also by the courage given by the rescuers and by the patriotism of Americans, just like you,” he said.
Maggie Worsdale performs “God Bless America” during a ceremony that honored the heroes and victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on America. Dancer said that in the war on terrorism, people pursue peace by pursuing the individuals who threaten those who bring the enemy to justice.
“Those who bring justice to the enemy, justice will be served,” he said. “And, we thank every day our uniformed armed servicemen and servicewomen who are defending this nation by protecting us. We have them to thank and remember.”
State Sen. Robert Singer and Assemblyman Joseph R. Malone also offered remarks to the guests.
Jackson Mayor Mike Reina, who lost his brother on 9/11, addressed the audience and said, “It is not an easy day for people like myself who lost somebody. For those who lost friends and family members, please send them my love. Try not to make this a day of sorrow, remembering all those who were lost, honoring their memories, which is what we have to do. It goes beyond that.
“As a 9/11 family member, we are constantly reminded each and every day. It never goes away. It is people like you that help ease [the pain of] his family. You show love and caring for which I don’t have the words.
“When I see the fire truck with those men who put their lives on the line or the police car with lights and sirens on, or first aid, they are doing the same thing they did on 9/11,” said Reina. “Love these people for what they do, because we can’t do that. I do the best I can with what I have. These people do it every day.”
As for the members of the armed forces, the mayor said, “They need our support and our love. Don’t give up the fight, ever. Let this day be a memory for all of us, not only that we don’t forget what happened, but what we are going to avoid [in the future].”
The Rev. Scott Shaffer, Rabbi Michael Klein and Pastor Wayne Jones also delivered remarks to the Westlake residents and guests.
“On that day we were the victim of a set of horrible acts, completely contrary to who we are as a nation and as a people,” said Shaffer. “We are a nation who practices tolerance rather than condemnation.”
Shaffer said the worst thing people can do is to re-enforce the victim mentality. He said Americans will remember the pain and the hurt of 9/11, but with the grace of God, they will move forward.
Klein said he wanted to honor the memories of the heroes and the victims.
“These groups are truly deserving of having their memories never fade from our collective consciousness,” he said.
The rabbi asked who were the martyrs and the victims eight years ago.
“Those who were aboard four separate airplanes bound to fulfill business responsibilities, those who were going on a vacation, or those who were visiting friends and relatives, as well as those who were working on their responsibilities to support their families in the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan or in the Pentagon outside of Washington, D.C.,” he said. “These were men and women of all ages, backgrounds, races and beliefs.”
Klein said those individuals became martyrs and victims by the actions of a handful of men who were filled with hatred and the desire for destruction and murder. Because of the handful of evil individuals, so many perished and their grieving families had their lives changed forever, the rabbi said.
On that day, he said, people witnessed the very worst and the very best that one human being can do to and for one another, said Klein.
The rabbi said justice must be meted out with a full measure to those who are deserving in order to ensure that brutality does not reoccur, and likewise mercy and kindness must be given to those who are truly deserving.
The ceremony concluded with a story told by Jones about two sets of footprints in the sand, one set of footprints was for a man and one set of footprints was for the Lord, Jones said.
“And, as he walked along, the man noticed at times there was only one set of footprints. They were at the lowest and saddest of times, and he said to the Lord, ‘You agreed to be with me,’ and the Lord answered, ‘When you see only one set of footprints, those were the times when I carried you.’ ”
The Lord carries people when they cannot go forward, the pastor said.
“Sometimes it’s a friend, a neighbor, a doctor, an EMT, a policeman or a firefighter,” said Jones. “The Lord gives us what we need.”
During the ceremony, Katelyn Tran, a sophomore at Jackson Memorial High School, performed Robert Schumann’s Grand Sonata No. 3 and Maurice Ravel’s “Jeux d’Eau” on piano.