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'Find that unity again'

| 16 Sep 2016 | 12:03
    Photos by Don Webb The children wore red, white and blue while their dad had on his fatigues at the September 11 commemoration at West Milford on Sunday, Sept. 11.
    Photos by Don Webb The children wore red, white and blue while their dad had on his fatigues at the September 11 commemoration at West Milford on Sunday, Sept. 11.
    Sept. 11, 2016
    Sept. 11, 2016
    Members of West Milford's police and fire departments presented the wreath at the township's memorial.
    Members of West Milford's police and fire departments presented the wreath at the township's memorial.
    Hundreds gathered on a beautiful Sunday morning, Sept. 11, for the ceremony marking the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attack.
    Hundreds gathered on a beautiful Sunday morning, Sept. 11, for the ceremony marking the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attack.
    West Milford's bravest and finest showed up, as they always do, at the service. On Sept. 11, 2001, 353 New York City firefighters died, along with 23 NYPD and 37 Port Authority police offiers. Eight paramedics also died.
    West Milford's bravest and finest showed up, as they always do, at the service. On Sept. 11, 2001, 353 New York City firefighters died, along with 23 NYPD and 37 Port Authority police offiers. Eight paramedics also died.
    Mayor Bettina Bieri addressed the crowd, calling for unity to honor those who died.
    Mayor Bettina Bieri addressed the crowd, calling for unity to honor those who died.
    The names of those who died on Sept. 11 are etched in this memorial in front of town hall. Father Mychal Judge, the chaplain to the FDNY, had once served at St. Joseph Church here in West Milford.
    The names of those who died on Sept. 11 are etched in this memorial in front of town hall. Father Mychal Judge, the chaplain to the FDNY, had once served at St. Joseph Church here in West Milford.
    Rev. Janet Macgregor-Williams of the West Milford Presbyterian Church, led the group in prayer.
    Rev. Janet Macgregor-Williams of the West Milford Presbyterian Church, led the group in prayer.
    Each bench in the park honors one of the victims of the attack.
    Each bench in the park honors one of the victims of the attack.
    'Find that unity again'

WEST MILFORD — Another beautiful Sept. 11, to remember and reflect.
West Milford residents filled the area in front of town hall on Sunday morning. Quietly they gathered near the stone benches that bear the names of those from West Milford who perished that day. They came together, as they have for the last decade and a half, to honor those who died on that day 15 years earlier. The ceremony began at 8:45 a.m., just about when the first plane hit the north tower of the World Trade Center in 2001.
Mayor Bettina Bieri addressed the crowd.
"Thank you for joining us today as we gather to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the horrendous terror attacks against our nation on Sept. 11, 2001," said Bieri. "America witnessed the worst form of evil that day. Our world was turned upside down as a result of the deadliest attacks our nation has faced in modern times. It is a day we will never forget and a day that forever changed us all."
She talked of how we still feel the effects of the attacks; for some families who lost loved ones, their grief continues. And for most others, our way of life has forever been changed.
"Although 15 years have passed, our conflicts with terrorism continue," said Bieri. "Our nation and other nations continue to suffer from the lingering uncertainties and instabilities that originated with 9/11. Despite the passage of time, these attacks and all subsequent attacks continue to impact our society and our way of life, from our relationships to our health to our outlook on the world and our culture."
West Milford Police placed a wreath at the memorial to those who perished in the attack from West Milford.
Rev. Janet Macgregor-Williams of the West Milford Presbyterian Church prayed.
And despite that darkest day in America, Bieri also noted how it brought people together.
"Our ongoing memorial serves as a reminder of that horrific day in history. However, it also serves as a true testament of our resilience," Bieri said. "Out of the depths of tragedy, we demonstrated our ability to heal our physical and emotional wounds and to rebuild our cities. Out of the depths of tragedy and in the aftermath of 9/11, we pulled together as a nation. We set aside our political, spiritual, philosophical, societal and cultural differences. We were unified in every way.
"Indeed, one of the strongest messages we can send in our fight against terrorism, and one of the most honorable ways we can commemorate Sept. 11, 2001, is to find that unity again. Let us unite in their honor and unite for a stronger nation."