This year North Bergen moved its annual 9/11 memorial ceremony from the morning to the evening, and a large crowd of residents showed up in commemoration of the solemn day. Held at the 9/11 memorial at 79th Street and Boulevard East, the event was emceed by Commissioner Anthony Vainieri, with many local and regional officials in attendance.

Mayor Nicholas Sacco was among the speakers, offering reflections on that tragic day 23 years ago. Assemblyman Julio Marenco and Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari also offered remarks, along with Superintendent of Schools Dr. George Solter.

The annual event serves to honor all those killed in the attacks and to share the significance of the event with younger residents who may not even have been born at the time. Specifically honored were the four North Bergen residents who lost their lives on that fateful day – Christopher Amoroso, Robert Cirri, Sal Edward Tieri, and David LaMagne – as well as Sgt. Marcos Gorra, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010.

The event also included the Pledge of Allegiance from local veterans, the presentation of colors by the NBPD Honor Guard and Hudson County Sheriff’s Honor Guard, an invocation from Pastor Gregory Dunlap and benediction from Father Yuvan Alvarez. The North Bergen High School Advanced Choir sang beautiful renditions of the National Anthem and “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” with an NBHS band member performing “Taps” on trumpet to close the event.

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