Local ceremony honors lives lost Sept. 11, 2001

The Whitford family hosted its annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony at their home on a mild, overcast afternoon near Lewes. 

In a memorial event that continues to grow each year, Roger and Carol Whitford maintained the annual tradition of honoring their son Mark and all 2,977 people who died during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Mark was one of 343 firefighters to lose their lives that day. A member of Fire Department of New York's Engine 23, Mark arrived with his crew after the second plane hit, and they entered the south tower to fight the fire. They reached the 21st floor before the tower collapsed. 

This year’s event featured the Delaware State Police Pipes and Drums, whose members walked down Minos Conaway Road to the Whitfords’ home, where they played “Amazing Grace.” Featured speakers included the Rev. Karis Graham, Eric Smith, Carol Webster and Phillip Cruz, each of whom told personal stories of the day.

Graham, pastor at Community Lutheran Church in Frankford, recalled the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. She was at a dog park when news of the first airplane strike occurred. A short time later, the plane that struck the Pentagon flew very low over her head. Not long after Sept. 11, she returned to active duty, serving several tours overseas, including in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Smith was a government worker in 2001, and still is. He remembers driving into Washington, D.C., and seeing the plumes of black smoke coming from the Pentagon. He then heard a thunderous explosion, which he later learned was a squadron of F-16s that broke the sound barrier at about 500 to 600 feet. The next morning, his job took him to New York City. With an escort from an FBI agent, he was able to walk down to Ground Zero. 

“It was an unbelievable sight,” he said. “There were people there lining the streets as the firefighters came in. The sights and sounds of that day live with me, and yet I think about the loss; I think about the sacrifice; I think about the bravery; I think about the honor and courage of our firefighters and policemen.”

Webster was commuting to the World Trade Center the morning of the attacks. She arrived via subway at 8:42 a.m. As she was heading up the escalators to the main concourse, she heard a loud noise and soot from the ceiling fell on her head. The first plane struck the North Tower at 8:46 a.m.

She was unable to use her normal exit because the plane had hit that side of the building and knocked out the electricity. It was at this point she said God spoke to her. He told her to stay to the left as she began a half-mile walk to another exit. During that walk, she helped people who were being trampled. Without going to the left — against the flow — she wouldn’t have been able to save those people.

“I don’t know if all of them got out, but some of them were able to escape being trampled because God had me at that place,” she said. “In those first few moments, it truly was every man for himself, because people just could not figure out what was going on.” 

Once out on the street, she was called over by a stranger to take shelter under an awning. Debris from the tower was falling on the street and crushing people trying to get away. She was eventually able to reach the New York Times building where her husband worked. Although it was locked down, they let her in. Later in the day, she was interviewed, and her comments appeared in several stories over the next few days. 

Cruz describes himself as just a guy who was late for work that day. He worked in the World Trade Center. He remembers standing and staring in disbelief at what had occurred, the blue sky behind the smoke and ash, and the smell. He never thought the towers would fall, but as he was making his way east away from the area, he felt a rumble. One of the towers fell. Then came the smoke. In a blink, it was complete darkness, he said. After reaching his Wall Street office, he helped make sure everyone was accounted for. He stayed late, then walked back toward the towers later that day. He said the carnage was soul-crushing. 

In the 24 years since that day, he continues to struggle. He said he’s dealt with survivor’s guilt, and the weight of those events has taken its toll on his mental and physical health. 

“Every year as this day approaches, I say this may finally be the year I won’t be so sad, and every year I open my eyes and yet again, the dread of all those memories besiege me,” he said. “The overwhelming feelings of grief and rage are still here.” 

Also participating were Suzette Chambers, who sang the national anthem; Greg Fuller, who gave the opening prayer; Joe DiMartino of the FDNY, who explained the 5, 5, 5, 5 fire service tradition to signal a firefighter has died in the line of duty; and Pastor John Betts, who gave the closing prayer. 

New to the memorial this year is a bell donated by the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province as part of its Bells of Remembrance Project. The bells first rang after Sept. 11, 2001, to honor Father Mychal Judge, a Franciscan friar who was the first casualty. He had served at Siena in 1970s before going to serve as chaplain for the New York City Fire Department. Brother David Schlatter, a friar and chaplain, wanted to create a fitting memorial to Judge, so he created the Bells of Remembrance Project to give expression to feelings people sometimes cannot verbalize. In the years following 9/11, the bells have been rung for annual memorial ceremonies in Manhattan; Shanksville, Pa.; Arlington, Va.; and Boston. Following last year’s service in Lewes, the staff of Schlatter contacted the Whitford family to offer a bell for the Whitfords’ memorial.