In memory of the ninth anniversary of Sept. 11, communities throughout Hudson County are holding various memorial ceremonies and other activities this weekend.
Bayonne:
The Bayonne Remembers Committee will hold an annual interfaith memorial service and candlelight vigil on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. in Harbor View Park at the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor (the former Military Ocean Terminal).
The program will include a bagpiper, color guards from the Bayonne Police and Fire Departments, the veterans’ color guards from Bayonne, and the Bayonne High School Marching Band. Several members of the Bayonne Interfaith Clergy will offer prayers, readings, and silent reflections, and there will be patriotic music and songs. The program will also include students from all of the Bayonne schools and Mayor Mark A. Smith will present brief remarks. At the end of the program, candles will be lighted and taps will be played.
Shuttle service will be available to the site and metered parking spaces are also available.
Everyone is welcome to participate in the event, which will take place rain or shine. For more information on the shuttle service or any questions about the event, call (201) 858-1623.
Guttenberg:
Guttenberg’s planned remembrance ceremony for Sept. 11 includes a flag raising ceremony and candle vigil at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, where residents can remember those who were lost in the World Trade Center attacks.
Hoboken:
On Sept. 11 at 4 p.m., the Hoboken community will gather at Pier A Park for the annual September 11th Interfaith Memorial Service.
City officials, the Hoboken Clergy Coalition, and various community organizations will share in the remembrance.
This year’s theme will be “United in God’s Love: Coming Together Through Faith.”
Sam Scardigno, a Hoboken veteran, has written a song titled “Once There Stood Twin Towers There” for the event. Youth from The Hudson School will sing John Lennon’s “Imagine” under the direction of Kerry Dunn.
Jersey City:
Several activities will take place in Jersey City, where many survivors were brought over from Ground Zero by ferry to be treated for injuries. A total of 37 Jersey City residents died on Sept 11, 2001.
• At 8:20 a.m. on Saturday, Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy, the Municipal Council, and the Jersey City 9/11 Memorial Committee will observe the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks with the annual 9/11 Memorial Service “Reflections” at the foot of Grand Street on the Jersey City Waterfront. The public is encouraged to attend the patriotic ceremony. In the event of rain, the service will be held in The Atrium at Harborside Financial Center, Plaza III.
• At 9 a.m. on Saturday, a small intimate ceremony will take place in the Newport residential community. Residents and visitors can place memorial pillar candles and flowers on Newport’s 9/11 Memorial. Candles and flowers will be available to all at Newport Town Square (corner of Town Square Place and River Drive South).
• At 5 p.m. on Saturday, the Circle of Honor induction will be held during a ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial Fountain in Journal Square. The fountain is engraved with the names of Jersey City 9/11 victims, and those victims are honored during the ceremony. Surrounding the fountain is a Circle of Honor of other Jersey City residents who had an impact on their community. This year the honorees include Robert (Bobby) Jackson, Dan McNulty, Anthony S. Guadadiello, Rita Pane, and Joseph Doria.
• The Jersey City Peace Movement will participate in three events throughout the weekend, including a unity march in New York City and a candlelight vigil in Journal Square on Sept. 11. From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, a candlelight vigil will be held at the 9/11 Memorial Fountain in Journal Square. For more information on all of the Jersey City Peace Movement events, visit www.jcpm.org.
North Bergen:
On Friday, Sept. 10, North Bergen hosted a 9/11 memorial ceremony in the name of Marcos Gorra, a 2006 NBHS graduate who was killed while serving in the armed forces in Iraq. North Bergen High School students performed a flag salute before performing TAPS and singing the National Anthem in front of the school. A special plaque was placed inside the high school honoring all graduates who died defending the nation in the military.
Secaucus:
At 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Secaucus residents are invited to gather in front of the Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center at 1379 Paterson Plank Rd. for a ceremony that will include the reading of names of Secaucus residents who passed away in the 9/11 attacks.
Union City:
At 7 p.m. on Saturday, Union City will hold a Ceremony of Remembrance at Liberty Plaza, 30th Street and Palisade Avenue. The monument dedicated to the persons from Union City who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 will be rededicated after improvements were done to the existing monument.
On Sunday, Sept. 12, artists of various disciplines will gather, exhibit, and create art in remembrance of Sept. 11th at Liberty Plaza, 30th Street and Palisade Avenue in Union City from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
There will also be poetry readings as well as classical music performances. Everyone in the community is invited to attend.
Weehawken:
On Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m., Weehawken Township will hold a ceremony to pay tribute to the victims of 9/11 at Hamilton Plaza on Boulevard East. For more information, visit www.weehawkennj.us.
West New York:
On Saturday, Sept. 11 at 8:40 a.m., West New York will hold a service at 60th Street and Boulevard East.