Today is the 14th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and another target in Washington.
We remember the crisp beauty of that day’s blue sky as we headed to school or to work, only to be greeted by the horrifying and confusing news of what was going on in New York, Washington and then in Somerset, Pennsylvania, as Flight 93 was intentionally crashed as passengers, including Cranbury’s Todd Beamer, attempted to foil the terrorists’ mission.
So many of us in this area were touched that day by the loss of relatives, friends and neighbors. Meanwhile first responders from our rescue, fire and police agencies did what they could to assist the rescue and recovery efforts in New York.
It’s important to remember what happened on that day, the lives lost and the efforts made to help those in need after terrorists used our own freedoms against us.
Today many of our communities are holding ceremonies to recall 9/11 and those who died and who responded in aid. West Windsor, Plainsboro, Montgomery, Mercer County, Rider and Princeton universities are holding events to commemorate the events of that day.
But there is no community ceremony in Princeton. We’re not sure why, but it’s an opportunity for an organization such as the Spirit of Princeton to fill this void.
With the 15th anniversary coming next year, it’s appropriate that this group put together an idea for a simple ceremony that can become another Princeton tradition.
The Spirit of Princeton has done a wonderful job of organizing such events as the July 4 fireworks and concert, the Memorial Day parade, Flag Day and Veterans Day events. A 9/11 ceremony of remembrance should be added.
But the dedicated leaders of the Spirit of Princeton such as Ray Wadsworth, Herb Hobler and Mark Freda and the other members cannot do all this alone. They need volunteers to make arrangements and money to support the effort.
We hope there are enough citizens that are willing to offer their time and money to support an effort to create a ceremony for 2016.
Let’s roll.
