In a moving and emotionally-charged ceremony Monday evening, more than 70 family members of the Hoboken victims of the September World Trade Center attack gathered at Pier A Park to light candles in remembrance. They were not alone, as more than 500 friends and neighbors from Hoboken circled them in a show of support and condolences.
“Today is a day when we need to look back as a community and comfort the families of the victims,” said Mayor David Roberts just moments before the ceremony was about to begin. “Tonight is for the immediate families and the closest friends of those who were lost, the spouses, husbands and children who are still suffering from the persistent trauma of what happened on Sept. 11. We want to show them that as a city and as a community we will do anything possible to help ease their burden.”
In memory of each of the more than 40 lost Hobokenites, a candle was lit and all of the names of the deceased were spoken. Some in the audience wept, and others bowed their heads in prayer.
“You couldn’t help but feel the gravity and emotion of the moment,” said Garden Street resident Marsha Mendez shortly after the ceremony was over. “At least for a couple minutes you feel the pain that these people have been feeling for past six months. You have to realize that everyone who lit those candles tonight lost the most important person in the world to them. I just hope that being here and sharing their pain with them tonight can help them and ease their suffering.”
The service also included interfaith prayers and readings by members of the Hoboken Clergy Coalition, as well as musical interludes. One of the more touching moments occurred when Laurie Wurm, the parish missioner at All Saints Episcopal Church who formed a 9/11 support group for families of victims, spoke about what was lost.
“Every day the members of the 9/11 support group are forced to ask themselves two questions,” Wurm said. “Who were we before 9/11, and who are we after? These are the questions they have to look at every waking moment.”
She added that for these people, everything has changed. “Their brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, boyfriends, and girlfriends were just at the beginning of their lives,” she said. “It was the spring and there was no harvest. For these families, the sun hasn’t risen again, there are no longer stars, and the world has ceased to spin on its axis.”
Councilman Richard DelBoccio said Monday that it is imperative to support these families through these tough times.
“We are here tonight to pay tribute to those who have suffered such a terrific loss,” said DelBoccio. “We must never forget what happened on 9/11. It is a day that was ever so sad, but it is also a day that brought together a people to remember what a great nation that we do live in. We will help these families get through this, we will help them as a community and as a nation.”
Twin beams of light
After the ceremony ended, two rays of light leapt out of the World Trade Center site and reached high to the heavens. “The Tribute in Light” is made up of Xenon lights sending 88 high-powered beams into the night sky. From Hoboken, the beams looked like one.
“It’s breathtaking,” said Nelson Rodway, 58, who drove up from Philadelphia to see the lighting. “Whenever people look at the New York’s skyline at night, they will be reminded and they will remember. In some ways it is solemn and sad, but it’s more than that. It’s heroic and triumphant and a message telling anyone that asks that we will overcome and those who were lost will never be forgotten.”
Friends and neighbors helping
One Hoboken resident who was remembered Monday was Gavin Cushny. Just an hour before the Interfaith Service, Mayor David Roberts traveled to 533 Monroe St. to unveil a permanent plaque memorializing Cushy. He was the long time president of the 533 Monroe Street Condo Association and according to Jerry Sommer, who replaced Cushy as condo president, a deep imprint has been left on all the residents of the building.
“He touched the life of everyone that lives here,” said Sommer, just before the mayor unveiled the plaque in a short ceremony. “It is so very important that we recognize the sacrifice that all of these victims have made.”
Cushy’s remains were found in early November, along with those of several firefighters in a stairwell. His body was returned to his familial home in Scotland, where he was laid to rest. His was the first 9/11-related funeral to be held in Great Britain.
Since his family is overseas, representatives of 533 Monroe St. were the ones to light a candle in remembrance of Cushny at the memorial service.