Camden Firefighters Mark 9/11 Anniversary With World Trade Center Memento

Twenty-three years ago, New York City firefighters gifted their Camden colleagues with a small chunk of one of the World Trade Center towers as a remembrance to thank them for their support after the September 11 attacks that killed hundreds in their ranks.

Still, when Camden Deputy Fire Chief Frank Sandrock took the memento from its case at fire headquarters on the morning of the 25th anniversary, it released an aroma connected to the tragedy.

“You could still smell the jet fuel,” he said.

In Camden, city leaders, police officers and firefighters placed flowers atop that building fragment in a waterfront tribute sponsored by American Water and the city.  They dedicated a wreath, observed a moment of silence, and planted 2,977 flags at RCA Pier Park to symbolize the lives lost in New York City, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, PA. Of the four planes hijacked and crashed that morning, two destroyed the towers, one hit the Pentagon, and the fourth went down in a Pennsylvania field after a group of passengers fought back against the terrorists.

Several speakers and attendees emphasized the country’s unity in response to the disaster, with references to what many view as America’s current, politically motivated division. “We must never forget,” said Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen, “that despite the tragedy, our nation managed to mend and make it through these tough times together.”

Camden councilman Chris Collins believes that solidarity came from the country’s leaders, and that today’s leadership “is taking us back to separation instead of unity.” Council President Angel Fuentes said he is “sure we will get back to being a country that is well-respected” and that “it’s time to start the healing process.”

Carstarphen was driving in Brooklyn that morning 25 years ago, and recalled traffic stopping and everyone getting out of their cars to see what had happened.

“It was harrowing to see that one plane had hit, and then another, and everyone started running,” he said. He remembers “ash everywhere” and that his mother was afraid because she couldn’t reach him by phone. It took him four days to get home to Camden.

Collins recalled rushing to school after the attacks to pick up his children, because “nobody knew what to expect.” It was a moment, he said, “when we realized that terrorism is real, even though it was never expected to happen on US soil.”

The ceremony was replete with themes of acceptance and kindness.

“If we learned nothing else” from the 9/11 disaster, said Camden Fire Chief Jesse Flax, “we learned that life is short and there is no time for hate.”

Sean Wheatley, President of American Water Military Services Group and Contract Services Group, urged attendees to be tolerant of their fellow citizens.

“I ask that you widen your heart to accept someone who may not accept you,” he said, “and love someone who may not love you.

“Let’s go and make a change.”