City of Paterson Memorial Ceremony 9-10-2010

Never Forgetting 9-11

Sept. 10^th, 2010

By Orville Morales

As seen in print in the Passaic County Pulse

Mayor Jeff Jones, with two of our brave Marines, providing opening remarks  to the Memorial Ceremony

The overarching message of this day was expressed most succinctly by Mayor Jeff Jones when he said, “Today is a peaceful morning, with the sound of life going about its day, please remember that the tranquility that you hear does not come free”.  The City of Paterson hosted a 9-11 Memorial Ceremony on Sept. 10^th, 2010 at the New York Susquehanna Western Railroad Plaza at Ward Street and Railroad Avenue, in Paterson, NJ.  It was a ceremony for the public to join together in a day of prayer and remembrance of all the innocent people such as Paterson’s own Kenneth Lira, a 6^th ward resident who lost their lives during the 9-11 attack. He was only 28 years old.   

It was also a day to remember those brave service men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives to respond to the tragic emergencies of 9-11 and fight and die for our right to live in peace and with freedom.  As the message was clear today, that freedom does not come free.

The program included words of condolences and support from Congressman Bill Pascrell, Mr. Anthony Vancheri, president of the Paterson Veterans Council, a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by soloist Ms. Brenda Mickens and the laying of the memorial wreaths from the Paterson Police Department, EMT Association, Paterson Fire Department, in remembrance of their fellow servicemen lost on that day.  

Each department head such as Deputy Coordinator of the Office of Emergency Management Rhonda Thompson, Carlos Pagan of the Fire Department, Steven Olimpio, PBA President and Paterson Police Department Detective and Police Chief Wittig all gave a brief reminder of the most difficult moments our country has had to bare on that tragic day of 9-11. 

Marina Arvelo, mother of  fellow Patersonian Kenneth Lira, who passed during the attacks on 9-11

Finally, in what may be the most emotionally charged moment, we heard the words of Marina Arevelo, mother of Kenneth Lira, who expressed in tears how much she misses her son and how grateful she is to all those who fight and lose their lives to defend our freedoms.  Rev. Kenneth Clayton offered us his invocation and benediction throughout the event.  

Although few of the public were present at this memorial ceremony, we stood in silence and remembered how often we take for granted the simple freedoms we enjoy in this country, even as a thin film of smoke filled the air as Paterson Fire Department responded to a fire no more than 3 blocks away.  This event was certainly a reminder for this writer and all others that our freedom does not come free, and thank you is not enough for the men and women of our military, police, firefighters and all those who put themselves in harms way to protect us day in and day out.   Mayor Jones reminds us that “we must remember the peaceful silence because it is precious and it does not come free”.