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Officials reflect on 9/ 11

By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
   TRENTON — Governor Chris Christie signed Executive Order No. 102, mandating that all state buildings fly flags at half-staff on Tuesday, in recognition of the 11th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.
   The New Jersey governor also issued a proclamation marking this past Tuesday as “Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance” throughout the Garden State.
   ”We pause to remember and honor the memories of the innocent victims who lost their lives in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania — 746 of them New Jerseyans,” said Gov. Christie on Sept. 11 in a statement sent to the Herald.
   ”As we gather at memorial ceremonies across the state, we remember the very best and the very worst of what we all experienced that day. We continue to give our comfort, thoughts and prayers to our communities and families who lost a loved one and honor the thousands of selfless Americans — firefighters, police officers, (emergency medical service) responders, construction workers, and military personnel — who displayed unimaginable bravery and sacrifice,” he said.
   Gov. Christie stated, “The events of that day continue to unite us as Americans — in our common respect and debt to the heroes of that day . . . As our state and nation did in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, we continue to demonstrate the resilience, strength and patriotism that define us as both New Jerseyans and Americans.”
   A memorial service was held in East Windsor on Tuesday, a community that lost six residents on 9/11.
   ”I think it is really important that we pause and take time out on 9/11 to reflect on that day’s events and significance, as every one of us who lived through them have been forever deeply and emotionally touched,” stated East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov to the Herald earlier this week.
   ”We lost six East Windsor residents that day,” she said. “It is important that we never ever forget what happened and that we demonstrate that by reaffirming our commitments to help out one another, to build strong healthy communities and to renew our support for the important values which our nation represents and which unite us.”
   Mayor Mironov continued, “It is important that we take time to remember and honor this day — that we remember the horrific events and the many innocent victims and that we honor the many individuals who stepped up to assist and the many acts of true heroism and kindness generated during those unthinkable events and the days following.”
   She said that 9/11 marked an important time to “recognize, honor and appreciate theincredible work and generous spirits of our first responders” including firefighters, emergency medical technicians.
   ”We should recognize how blessed we are in East Windsor to have such terrific individuals who are so caring and capable and selfless who provide invaluable service year-round as volunteer firefighters and rescue squad members,” Mayor Mironov said, adding “as well as appreciating our capable dedicated police officers who are there for our community.”