By Amy Batista, Special Writer
Community members gathered to commemorate the 14th anniversary of 9/11 during the township’s annual wreath-laying ceremony last Friday.
“This is an event that we have done here at the municipal grounds annually since the horrific events of 9/11,” said Mayor Janice Mironov. “We gather to remember the events and as a community to have many of our individuals who were so important to us here to be important participants.”
The wreath-laying ceremony took place in front of the municipal building near the 9/11 Memorial, which is dedicated to six local victims — Colleen Barkow, Anil Bharvaney, Lorriane Bay, Neil Lai, Debbie Bellows and Ruth Lapin.
“It is something that we feel very strongly about,” Mayor Mironov said. “The events of 9/11 were something that none of us should have experienced in our lifetime but we did.”
The mayor said it is important to continue to come together as a community, to continue remember the events of that day and to not allow that day to be forgotten.
Local dignitaries were in attendance including Township Council members along with first responders from the police, fire departments and emergency medical services.
“The way that we can best remember and best honor that day and the thousands of people who perished and many of thousands of others who suffered losses and by the many others who have conditions that they have had to live with since that day, we need to as a community, as a state, and a nation to rededicate ourselves to the values and the important things that bring us together as Americans,” Mayor Mironov said. “We need as well to rededicate ourselves to service.”
East Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1. Firefighter Harvey Bailey started the ceremony by leading everyone in singing the “America the Beautiful.”
Rev. James Egan of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Windsor-Hightstown Ministerium said that he suspects many remember where they were and what they were doing when they either saw the horror on TV or heard the news.
“We gather to remember that day but more than that to remember the innocent victims and first responders and average citizens who gave their lives to rescue and assist,” he said.
Time has dulled the pain, Rev. Egan said.
“It always does but our internal clocks and memories bring us back to that Tuesday 14 years ago reminding us of what was lost and who was lost,” he said.
East Windsor Township Police Chief Harry Marshall said it was an honor to speak on behalf of all the first responders who attended the ceremony.
“Each year we come to this site in remembrance of all of the victims of Sept. 11 who include hundreds of emergency responders,” said Chief Marshall. “Emergency responders who left the safety of their whereabouts on that day to respond to the needs of others and in doing so gave of themselves the ultimate sacrifice. We do this to honor them as individuals and also as a collective group of men and women who voluntarily entered into a profession despite the many risks and dangers they could be associated with on a daily basis.”
He said they were special people with great courage and bravery.
“So because of their unique character and their unwavering dedication to duty we’re humbled to be connected with them in some small way by virtue of our common professions and our values,” Chief Marshall said.
Volunteer emergency medical technicians (EMTs) from East Windsor Township EMS No. 2 took turns reading passages from “Light One Candle.”
“We did ‘Light One Candle’ in a very special rendition at the very first memorial ceremony that we had here,” Mayor Mironov said, adding that those who attend each year have continued to repeat the words.
East Windsor Township dedicated its 9/11 Memorial on Oct. 30, 2001.
“The day showed us many things aside from the horrific events,” the mayor said. “We saw the greatness of the human spirit, the enormity of compassion and the tremendous capabilities of so many volunteers — firefighters, EMS, police and just what we like to call ordinary citizens, the rest of us — join together and rush into buildings and give in the subsequent days and continue to honor the memories and to do service to our communities.”
East Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Chief James McCann, East Windsor Township EMS No. 2 Deputy Chief Arlen Forst, Mayor Mironov, East Windsor Rescue Squad District I Chief Scott Prykanowski, and East Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 2 President Ben Thornton laid a red, white and blue wreath before the memorial.
