During a special 9-11 10th Anniversary mass on Sept. 11, the members of Saint Joseph Catholic Church prayed for the victims who died in 2001 and their families. Shown leading that mass are Deacon Joseph Murphy and Rev. Joseph Perreault, parish pastor.

On Sept. 11, during a special mass at Saint Joseph Catholic Church held to honor the lives lost in 2001, members of Sea Isle City’s Fire, Ambulance and Police Departments gathered to pray together.

Sea Isle City Police Sergeant Tom McQuillen was one of numerous local first-responders who participated in a special mass at Saint Joseph Catholic Church on Sept. 11.

Shown reading a passage from the Bible during a special 9-11 mass at Saint Joseph Catholic Church on September 11 is Sea Isle Ambulance Corps EMT Jim Arsenault. Also shown is Altar Server Ben Jargowsky.

Close to 1,000 people attended Sea Isle City’s 10th Anniversary 9-11 Ceremony on Sept. 11, which took place at the resort’s Veterans Park.

During his speech at Sea Isle’s 9-11 Ceremony on Sept. 11, Mayor Leonard Desiderio reminded the audience to always honor the first responders who died at Ground Zero in New York City in 2001.

While Deacon Liam O’Clisham read an invocation during the 9-11 Ceremony, Cape May County Clerk Rita Fulginiti, County Sheriff Gary Shaffer, Carmela Desiderio, 13, VFW Post 1963 Commander Charles Haines and Mayor Leonard Desiderio quietly bow their heads.

The members of Sea Isle City’s Volunteer Fire Department recall the horrors of 9-11 terrorist attacks during Sea Isle’s Patriot Day Ceremony on Sept. 11.

During Sea Isle City’s 10th Anniversary 9-11 Ceremony on Sept. 11, Cape May County Sheriff Gary Shaffer reminded the audience to always be aware of their surroundings. “If you see something, say something,” he said.

With the members of VFW Post 1963’s Color Guard as a back drop, Boy Scout Forest Wan played taps during Sea Isle City’s 10th Anniversary 9-11 Ceremony on Sept. 11.

During a special 9-11 ceremony on Sept. 11 at Sea Isle City’s Veterans Park, many spectators wore patriotic attire to commemorate the terrorist attacks in 2001.

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SEA ISLE CITY – The residents and visitors of Sea Isle City marked the 10th Anniversary of the 9-11 Terrorist attacks in several ways. The day began with a special mass of celebration inside Saint Joseph Catholic Church, which was held in honor of the thousands of victims of 9-11 and their families. The mass was lead by Rev. Joseph Perreault, the parish’s pastor, and Deacon Joseph Murphy, a retired police detective from Philadelphia.

Among the more than 1,000 people attending the service at Saint Joseph Church were many members of Sea Isle City’s Fire, Ambulance and Police Departments, who were given seats of honor in the front rows. The parish also invited Police Sergeant Tom McQuillen and Sea Isle Ambulance Corps EMT Jim Arsenault to read passages from the Bible during the mass. Additionally, Dan Dever, a long-time member of the Sea Isle City Volunteer Fire Department, was asked to carry the offertory gifts to the altar during the Eucharist.

Meanwhile, across town at the Sea Isle City United Methodist Church, worshippers gathered for their normal Sunday morning services before going out into the surrounding community to offer their time and talents to people in need.

“We must do ordinary things to show how strong we are as a people, and giving our time to others is a way we can honor those who lost their lives at 9-11,” said Pastor Barbara Frohock of Sea Isle’s United Methodist Church.

In addition to the efforts made by the local religious community, the City of Sea Isle City also commemorated the 10th anniversary of 9-11 by hosting a public ceremony at the resort’s Veterans Park on Landis Avenue. The civic ceremony was highlighted by the presence of many honored guests, including Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio, City Council members, Cape May County Sheriff Gary Shaffer, County Clerk Rita Fulginiti, representatives from Sea Isle’s Fire, Ambulance and Police Departments, and many members of VFW Post 1963. Close to 1000 spectators were also in attendance.

The 9-11 gathering at Veterans Park also featured a poem read by Carmela Desiderio, 13, of Sea Isle City, patriotic songs performed by veteran Russell Briggs of Sea Isle City, taps performed by Boy Scout Forest Wan, 12, of Palermo, NJ, and an invocation read by Deacon Liam O’Clisham of Saint Joseph Catholic Church. O’Clisham, who served as a Chaplain at New York City’s Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks, was wearing his official 9-11 identification badges from 2001.

“We remember and honor the heroic first responders who rushed to the scene and saved so many, and we remember and pay tribute to our troops, military families, all our first responders and all those who have served over the past ten years to keep us safe and strong.” said Mayor Desiderio in his speech.

Later, Sheriff Shafer added, “Thirty terrorist attacks have been stopped since 2011,” citing the importance of public diligence and the need for people to report any suspicious activities. “The next attack will most likely be stopped by citizens like you. So, if you see something, say something.”