Thirty-eight Jersey City residents perished on that tragic day in 2001. Hundreds more escaped from crumbling buildings, while more stayed in the area to assist in recovery of bodies and cleaning up rubble.
9/11 morning
During the morning ceremony, the attendees bowed their heads in silence twice, at 8:46 and 9:03 a.m. - the times when planes flew into the Twin Towers.
Jersey City 9/11 Memorial Committee chairman John Guarini was teary-eyed as spoke about the message of 9/11. Guarini had worked at Ground Zero for 10 days after the attacks, assisting with the recovery.
"On September 11, we showed what kind of character we really had as Americans," said Guarini, "We responded to a tragic, murderous act by terrorists and we did it with such compassion."
Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini held the hand of her daughter, Bianca, throughout the ceremony. Bianca Beldini on 9/11 was a physical therapist working a few blocks away from the World Trade Center and had come out of the World Trade Center PATH station minutes after an American Airlines plane struck the North Tower.
Five years later, the pain of losing friends and clients still lingered, which didn't make it easier for her.
"Every year, you always think it will be easier, and in fact this morning, I wavered on whether I wanted to come," said the younger Beldini.
Members read the names of the 38 Jersey City residents who died that day.
Rev. Thomas Iwanowski of Our Lady of Czestochowa on Sussex Street in Jersey City relayed the story of how "the smallest act of goodness" by employees of the church helped a 9/11 survivor that day, when they allowed her to use a phone to call loved ones.
Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise and other county officials, along with officials visiting from Germany, threw a memorial wreath into the Hudson River, which floated in the windswept waters. 9/11 evening
In the evening, the flowing water from the 9/11 Memorial Fountain in Journal Square complimented the harmonizing of the St. Dominic's Academy choir.
The ceremony was hosted by Pat O'Melia and the Friends of Loews volunteer group.
The event also honored Jersey City residents, living and deceased, who have made a difference in Jersey City - late mayors Frank Hague and Thomas F.X. Smith, late police officers "Tex" Reilly and Dominick Infante, and current residents June Spinello, Arnold Bettinger, and Joseph Napolitano, Jr.
"I just want to open this event by reminding you that what happened on 9/11 is not really over," said O'Melia. "The war on terror is going to go on for a long time."
Jersey City Fire Department Director Armando Roman recounted the bravery of all uniformed and those not uniformed that day.
Candles and flags were passed out to attendees. Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com
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