To the Editor:

The September 11th. . .Bayonne Remembers Committee held its annual Interfaith Memorial Service and Candlelight Vigil on Sept. 11 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to honor the 13 Bayonne victims of the 1993 and 2001 attacks, and to dedicate the Twin Towers Steel Monument. The message of the service was one of forgiveness, light, and hope.

The committee wishes to thank the participating members of the clergy, including Rev. Gregory G. Perez, who served as master of ceremonies; Most Rev. Thomas A. Donato, auxiliary bishop of Newark; Rev. Dorothy A. Patterson; Father Joseph Barbone; Rabbi Gordon Gladstone; Rev. Rose Cohen Hassan; Father George Greiss; Father Robert Pachana; Rev. Laura Thelander; Rabbi Clifford B. Miller; Father Bernard Nowicki; and the other clergy in attendance for the heartfelt prayers, readings, and reflections.

Special thanks also to Mayor Mark Smith; the Bayonne Police and Fire departments; veterans’ groups; color guards; The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Dr. Patricia L. McGeehan, superintendent of schools; Tim Craig, director of music at BHS; Serge Puchinsky, BHS band director; Laura Bassett, director of the Bayonne Community Choir; Gary Chmielewski, director, Bayonne Public Works Department; Peter Amadeo, supervisor, Bayonne Parks and Recreation; the Bayonne High School Marching Band; the Bayonne Community Choir; and all who attended the service.

Thanks also to Al Sullivan and “The Bayonne Community News,” “The Jersey Journal,” and Cablevision for all of the spectacular coverage of the service, the “Teardrop,” and the Steel Monument.

Also, Pompilio & Sons for the fine workmanship on the Twin Towers Steel Monument, Mike Wilson and the members of the Bayonne-based Post 19 American Legion Riders of New Jersey for accompanying the steel to its new home, Bayonne Public Works Department employees, the Bayonne Fire Canteen, and Resnick’s Hardware Store.

Last, but certainly not least, the members of the September 11th. . .Bayonne Remembers Committee for all of their hard work and dedication.

We will never forget!

FRANK P. PERRUCCI

Chairman