Sea Girt Honors Fallen in 9/11 Service

Fittingly enough – for a solemn occasion such as the Sea Girt Fire Department’s Sept. 11 memorial service – the sun did not shine on Sunday. But, the human spirit shone through via Sea Girt residents in attendance, and the verbal testimonials given.

The memorial ceremony at the fire house at Fourth Avenue and Baltimore Boulevard marked the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, and was held to not only honor the three Sea Girt residents who perished that day, but most notably, Charles “Chuck” Mathers, 61, a member of Sea Girt Fire Company No. 1, and managing director at Marsh Power Group in tower one of the World Trade Center.

 “My thoughts are one with everyone. Four-hundred and eleven of those who died were first responders – for us, it was 412,” said Fire Company President Tom Crawley. “Chuck Mathers – no one can convey the contributions he made for his colleagues. The fire department wishes to dedicate this day to all lost, and to Chuck’s memory. In this company, no one forgets, and no one ever will. In our world, he’s honored as a brother lost. He was a wonderful dad, grandfather and genuine individual.”

The somber ceremony began with an invocation by Rev. Russell Griffin of St. Muriel’s Parish, who was filling in for Fire Department Chaplain, Rev. Peter Cook, who was ill. Alan Coffey then played the National Anthem on the bugle, during which the approximately 60 residents stood quietly with their hands over their hearts.

An emotional Mayor Mark Clemmensen spoke following Crawley, and paid tribute to the victims of Sept. 11.

“I thank each one of our firefighters for going in harm’s way. Citizens of Sea Girt have an obligation to members of this company,” said Clemmensen.

He then recounted his personal experience following Sept. 11, 2001.

“Two days after Sept. 11, I arrived at Liberty State Park – you could still see the attack area. We were briefed, and after the briefing, we were transported across the Hudson River on a trip that seemed like it took forever, it was like crossing the Atlantic. It looked like a battlefield. We stepped off the boat onto Ground Zero in what felt like a battlefield – it smelled like a battlefield. We lost many heroes, and one of those heroes was Sea Girt’s Chuck Mathers. I’d like to say to the 56 firefighters, God bless you, and God bless America.”

Clemmensen, firefighters, and residents then watched as the detail for the colors was conducted by firefighter Chris Randazzo. The American flag was initially raised to full-mast, then slowly lowered to half-mast as Alan Coffey played “Reveille.”

Crawley showed attendees a photo taken earlier in the week of a bronze parapet which was dedicated at the National September 11 Memorial Site & Museum, New York City, which shows the name of Chuck Mathers.

“I want to say a special ‘thank you’ to the whole company, and residents who helped pull together our memorial service for this day,” said Crawley.

Theresa Fabian, Sea Girt, was one of the residents in attendance.

“It was a lovely remembrance of the people that were lost on that day, and a reminder that we should never forget,” said Fabian.

Pleased with the ceremony was Judith Jones Ambrosini.

“It was lovely to have it, and nice that the people of town showed up for it. It’s a strong community – there’s a strong community spirit.”

Resident Shawn Mulligan agreed with Ambrosini’s opinion, and gave his praise for Sea Girt, and Mathers.

“It’s a special day – we all live in a great community in Sea Girt. It’s great to honor Chuck, who was our neighbor a few houses down,” said Mulligan.

Following the ceremony, those in attendance were invited into the firehouse for a free lunch of tuna sandwiches, penne pasta with sauce, and dessert; and were also able to view Mathers’ turn-out coat, and the photo of the memorial with his name engraved in it.

Sea Girt resident Robert Beavis, Colonel USMC, Retired, summed up the afternoon’s events.

“I think the firemen of Sea Girt offered a wonderful memorial service for everyone, in particular, their fireman, Chuck Mathers. Not everybody could go to New York this day. This service was most appropriate to honor Chuck in the presence of Chuck’s family,” said Beavis. “Most important, they they honor all who have fallen, and give a chance to remember them – those who have passed.”