I was struck Sept. 11 by the fact that the Ridgewood does not have a village-wide sponsored memorial service. I realize that there is an ongoing display in the library and that Mt. Carmel Catholic Church held a mass. Mt. Carmel represents an important part of the community, but it is not a Village government-sponsored gathering. I contrast this with our other holidays. Each year residents gather to remember Martin Luther’s message with a march through town. Veterans service is recognized on Memorial Day with speeches at the column in Van Ness Park. We have a huge July 4 parade and celebration to commemorate the nation’s founding. I was disappointed that there wasn’t a more public memorial service for 9/11.
Each year, my wife and I participate in the Glen Rock 9/11 service. We did so again this year. It is a simple event with music and several survivors sharing their experiences. Several reflected on the profound changes in their lives that were a direct result of that terrorist act. The mayor speaks for the town. A member of the town’s religious community offers their thoughts. It concludes with a reading of the names of the 11 Glen Rockers that died. Many of those that attended were not family members of those who died. They were, however, mourning for missing friends and neighbors that needed the public affirmation of their loss.
One of the important aspects of a community memorial is the education of our kids. We do a lot to educate them about 9/11 in the public schools. A town-wide service would drive home many of the lessons they learn and emphasize the direct links between the Village and the tragedy. At the Glen Rock service, Boy Scouts handed out candles, the high school choir sang and children of all ages were moved by the impact the gathering had on their parents.
September 11, 2001 was a terrible event. In the aftermath, there was a period of good will and cooperation that reaffirmed all that is good in America. Annual public commemorations are important reminders of why this is a special country. Just as we remember July 4, Martin Luther King and Memorial Day, having the local government leaders gather the community together in public to remember who we are is important to our fabric as a community.
Our community was deeply and permanently impacted by the World Trade Center attack. We need an annual Village sponsored 9/11 memorial service.
James A. Morgan is a member of the Ridgewood Board of Education. He has written this letter in a personal, non-official manner
Ridgewood
