PHOTOS: Township Marks 9/11 Anniversary

Chatham Township marked the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and the Chatham lives lost in an understated ceremony Thursday evening.

Monseigneur James Mahoney of Corpus Christi Church in Chatham Township gave the opening prayer in the remembrance cermeony. Mayor Nicole Hagner recalled Sept. 11, 2001 in her remarks, including her own worries about the safety of a loved one who worked in the Twin Towers. Deputy Mayor Robert Gallop read aloud the 13 names of the Chatham residents who died in the attacks.

Below is the text of Hagner's speech:

Three years ago, we stood here to dedicate this memorial, and it is with mixed feeling[s] that I stand before you today to remember the heartbreaking events that happened 10 years ago on that fateful day in September.

I don't think any of us need a memorial to remember the lasting impact of that morning but when I think of the 10 years that have since [passed], I am reminded that a memorial is not just for those who were there, but also for those who were born after.

I am sure my account of that day and the days that followed are as vivid as yours, and while it is important to remember 9/11 as a day that our country was attacked on our own soil ... a day that many lost loved ones ... a day that our country experienced a feeling of vulnerability that still persists ... the day nobody could have imagined ... It is now and forever a part of our collective past.

From time to time, I have been reminded of that day and often it brings tears to my eyes, which I am okay with, as it was an event that shook me and will be with me forever, and those emotions are my way of honoring those that died, those that came to our rescue and those that continue to struggle. There are also times I feel guilty for being so fortunatethat I did not lose a loved one that day, although I feared that I had when I learned of the attacks after the towers had fallen. He was late to work. He is always late. But because of that day the lateness bothers me a little less.

So I can only hope that all of us can take today not simply to mourn, but to celebrate those who no longer stand among us. We remember and honor the many lives tha were lived, the lives that were filled with brilliance, talent, humor, bravery, accomplishments, acts of generosity, and most importantly the way those lives touched the families and friends that loved them. And today we remember to celebrate their lives by most of all making the most of our own.

Thank you for joining in our remembrance ceremony.

The names of the 13 Chatham residents who died on 9/11 are inscribed on the Chatham Township 9/11 Memorial:

• Donald L. Adams
• Dennis Buckley
• Paul S. Gilbey
• Gary R. Haag
•  Anthony P. Infante, Jr.
• Robin B. Larkey
• Christian H. Maltby
• Philip W. Mastrandrea, Jr.
• Peter C. Moutos
• Thomas  Strada
• Kenneth J. Swenson
• William R. Tieste
• Peter M. West

In the days leading up to Sept. 11, Chatham Patch will look at the lingering impact of 9/11 on the community.

In case you missed it:
Monday— in Chatham Borough and Chatham Township.
Tuesday—A look at , who joined the U.S. Marines after 9/11 and died in Iraq in 2004, through the eyes of his widow.  
Wednesday—1, taken from the text of Mayor Nelson Vaughan's speech from the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony on Sept. 11, 2009. 
 Thursday—How in Chatham.

Coming Up:  
Sept. 10—A special You Said It with Chatham residents about what they remember from 9/11. Also, Saturday evening coverage of Chatham Borough's memorial ceremony.
Sept. 11—Video of Chatham Borough's memorial ceremony and county coverage of other memorial events.