Jersey Shore Faithful to Commemorate 9/11 Anniversary

Mayor Michael Bloomberg may have excluded clergy from the 9/11 10th anniversary ceremony at the memorial site in New York City, but there are plenty of opportunities here at the Jersey Shore for sacred remembrances. Here are a few of them:

Friday, September 9

At 8:30 am, Ocean County will hold its annual Day of Remembrance Ceremony at the Ocean County September 11th Monument on Hooper Avenue in Toms River. A piece of steel from the World Trade Center will be added to the monument for the tenth anniversary.

At 10:00 am, an Empty Shoe Memorial will open at the park next to the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove. The Star 99.1 sponsored memorial will include 2,974 pairs of shoes to represent each life lost in the terrorist attacks. An American Flag will be placed with each pair of shoes and the shoes will be donated at the conclusion of the exhibit on September 12. 

At 1:30 pm, the Islamic Center of Ocean County will commemorate the victims of the terrorist attacks and the great sacrifice of police officers and fire fighters, according to Imam Maqsood Qadri. There will also be prayers for Muslim victims, he said, and prayers for protection from terrorists and terrorism.

Saturday, September 10

At 8:00 pm, Father Alphonse Stephenson will conduct the Orchestra of St. Peters by the Sea in a “Salute to Civilization” at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove.

Sunday, September 11

At 2:00 pm, a free concert by The Elysion Winds quintet will be held at Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan. It will include inspirational, solemn, reflective and patriotic music remembering those who lost their lives on 9/11, their loved ones, and the courage demonstrated by the first responders. There will also be a re-dedication of the display of the original New York Times printing plates listing victims of the attacks. The Voices of September 11 Remembrances of September 11 will also be on display at the library until September 19.

At 2:00 pm, a Remembrance Ceremony will be held at the Monmouth County 9/11 Memorial at Mount Mitchell Scenic Overlook in Atlantic Highlands.

“Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook has always been a special place to view the New York skyline and the Sandy Hook Bay,” the Monmouth County Park System website notes. “In September 2001 the park took on a new meaning for many in Monmouth County. There were 147 people from Monmouth County who perished in the terrorists attacks of September 11th, 2001. For days and weeks afterward, people visited Mount Mitchill to reflect and remember.”

Off-site parking will be available at the Claypit Creek section of Hartshorne Woods Park and shuttle buses will be provided from 10:00 am until 4:30 pm. 

At 4:00 pm, an Interfaith Community Service will he held at St. Joseph's Church in Keyport. Members of the community are invited to come together for reflection and prayers for peace. Participating congregations include St. Joseph’s of Keyport, Temple Shalom of Aberdeen and other congregations in the Bayshore Ministerium.

At sunset, 7:12 pm, Standing Together: An Interfaith Witness for Peace will be held at the North Beach of Sandy Hook. The event is sponsored by the Monmouth Center for World Religions and Ethical Thought. Members of the diverse faith communities of Monmouth
County will stand together in silent reflection, followed by
greetings and wishes of peace. 

At 7:30 pm, a free Service of Remembrance will be presented at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove. Speakers include Ground Zero chaplain Rev. Dan Schafer, Rev. Dr. Deforest Soaries, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Lincoln Gardens and former NJ Secretary of State, and Father Donald Hummel, chaplain of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. Music will be provided by the 9/11 Orchestra and Choir, the Newark Boys Choir, and The Couriers gospel group.

Monday, September 12

At 9:00 am, a  9/11 Commemoration Ceremony will be held at Ocean County College, followed by a Homeland Security Conference at 11:15 am. 

Additional Events

Many local communities are hosting events and extensive lists of memorial events can be found at 9-11HealingandRemembrance.org and Voices of Septeber 11th.