9-11 Memorial Ceremony Speech by Mayor Wilda Diaz

Thursday, September 11, 2014

PERTH AMBOY – Police, Fire and EMS Personnel, Freeholder Ron Rios, Council President Joel Pabon, Councilman Kenneth Gonzalez, Councilman Fernando Irizarry, Councilwoman Lisa Nanton and Councilman  William  Petrick,  clergy,  city officials, family and friends.

I  first  want  to  thank  our  city  departments  and  community partners for participating in this event.

Today, we hold this service in honor of our safety personnel and  in  memory  of  our  lost  community  members–  Isaias Rivera and Officer Richard Rodriguez, along with the thousands

of people tragically lost on this very day—13 years ago.

I believe for the  Rivera and  Rodriguez family, the events of September 11th  are as vivid today as they were over a decade ago.   It is an honor for us to recognize their legacy each year since this monument was erected.

I believe all of us remember having a personal encounter with the events that morning, others witnessed the attacks minutes after they had taken place when tuning into their local news stations.  Some of us were at work and others at school.

In  whatever  way  it  may  have  been  experienced  by  every American who lived to see that day, all mourned and everyone was impacted by the reality of our loss and what was soon to come.

Here we are 13 years later, still gathered as ONE NATION!! UNDER GOD!!! UNITED!!! to commemorate and celebrate the bravery that we saw from our firefighters, police officers and especially our honorary heroes!

That  day  reminded  us  of  the  worth  of  our  freedom,  our livelihood in this country and the importance of valuing our loved ones.

The prayers, the unity and the sacrifices made demonstrated the determination of our city and our nation.

The  Perth  Amboy  community  made  a  positive  impact  on September 11, 2001, as we continue to do Day-in and Day-out to this very day.

Today, this service is nothing short of recognizing everyone, from those who stood strong with encouragement, to the very people  that  defended  and  paid  the  ultimate  price  for  our safety– including 2 members of the Perth Amboy community and their loved ones.

Just a few days ago, we raised the Christian Flag as requested by our faith-based community. This Flag pole today represents the respect we hold for our country, the honor we have for our heroes and the faith we hold as a community.

May Perth Amboy’s history never be forgotten in this country—that of centuries ago and especially that of 13 year ago.

Though as a country we are young—

– We are timeless because of our VICTORIES.

– We are blessed because of our FAITH.

– We are strong because of our UNITY.

– We are free because of many SACRIFICES,

– And we have a future, because of our DREAMS!

May  God  Bless  you,  your  families  and  the  United  States  of America!