Memorial ceremony honors first responders

Roger and Carol Whitford were overwhelmed by the attendance at a memorial ceremony at their home on Minos Conaway Road Sept. 11. There were members of the FDNY, Lewes Fire Department, community members and a surprise visit from the Delaware State Police Pipes & Drums corps. Since moving to the area, the Whitfords have held a 9/11 ceremony annually. The Rev. Thomas Flowers from St. Jude’s blessed the piece of steel from World Trade Center that stands on the pathway of the upgraded monument.

Cliff Stabner, who was with Rescue 3, an elite, specially trained unit of firefighters with FDNY 18 years ago, expressed gratitude for the memorial. “It’s a tough day. Each year you think words will come, but they just don’t,” he said. “Today we honor the memory of all the responders; may we never forget.” He lost many friends on that day and personally defeated death twice that day.

Lewes Fire Department Chaplain Charlie Arnold thanked the Whitfords for the memorial and service, saying, “Thank you, and we remember the responders and your son.” He remembered the team from Lewes Fire Department responding to assist in the days after the attacks. From their position outside the city, he said as far as they could see, there was a curtain of smoke with a sharp line at the top.

Stabner recalled a story about a rescue unit that stayed with an elderly woman in a stairwell even after their captain told them to get out. “You stay, we stay. That’s what firefighters do; no one is coming behind us, we are the last line,” he said.