On Sept. 11, 2008, North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco, along with Board of Education and township officials, met outside of North Bergen High School to remember those who gave their lives, especially graduates of the school. A wreath of flowers was placed in tribute to the victims.
In Guttenberg, the memorial service took place on Wednesday, Sept. 10 outside of Town Hall.
Township officials paid special tribute to Rebecca Kaborie and Robert Cirri, whose families were originally from the township.
"On Sept. 11, I'm sure we all remember where we were," said Guttenberg Mayor James Hannon.
He continued, "I was standing around the corner when I heard about it and I said to my friend that my nephew was a firefighter in New York and I didn't know if he was on duty. That afternoon I found out that my nephew, Firefighter Dana Hannon Engine 26 Manhattan, was on duty and was now missing in the World Trade Center. He did not survive."
Both towns paid tribute to Cirri, a Port Authority Police officer who grew up in Guttenberg and graduated from North Bergen High School.
"I'm here for my children to honor their father, and that's what I do every year," said Cirri's ex-wife Judy at Guttenberg's memorial. "It's a very hard day for everybody, but it's hard every year. It's hard throughout the year, not just this day."
Cirri's son, Robert Jr., said he became a Hudson County Sheriff's Officer to follow in his father's footsteps.
Sacco emphasized the importance of remembering "our heroes" at North Bergen's service. "North Bergen will never forget our brothers and sisters who perished on that terrible day," said Sacco. "Their memories are carried on as we strive for a better and safer community every day."
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