My Dear Neighbors and Friends:
Twenty-Five years ago today, on the morning of September 11, 2001, thousands of individuals started their day like any other Tuesday. They kissed their spouses, hugged their children, and said good morning to their neighbors as they headed out to work – never to return home.
As the events of the day unfolded, countless responders – firefighters, police officers, Good Samaritans – showed unmatched bravery in their effort to help others. They risked their lives to help people they’d never met before, so that those individuals would have the chance to embrace their loved ones again.
We pray today for all who lost their lives and those that they left behind. We continue to pray for one of our own residents, John Griffin who left home that day and never returned. May his family find comfort in knowing his memory will never be forgotten here in Waldwick.
Today and every day, we must remember and honor that remarkable courage and selflessness shown by so many.
As a community and nation, we will continue to remember September 11th so that future generations will understand the devastating loss and the sacrifices made by so many brave and courageous people.
On that day, the world grieved with us. As a country, we still carry the pain of that day – a day that forever changed our world. A day we will never forget.
Despite the horror and tragedy of September 11, our country remains a shelter of peace, a symbol of freedom, a beacon light of compassion and justice to the downtrodden and oppressed of the world.
Out of the events of September 11th came hope and a new sense of determination to defend and protect us and to be stronger, to rebuild and be complete and powerful again. Our American spirit cannot be destroyed it has to live within each one of us.
Jeff Parness said it best “WHEN AMERICANS LEND A HAND TO ONE ANOTHER NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE”.
WE ARE NOT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 11th,
WE ARE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 12th.
Mayor Tom Giordano
