A giant American flag flies over a township fire truck. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
MANCHESTER – The tragic events of September 11, 2001 were recalled with a personal perspective by Township Councilwoman Sandy Drake who was there 24 years ago at Ground Zero in New York City.
The 9-11 ceremony, like services across the country, honored the memory of the nearly 3,000 lives lost that day and reflected on the courage of those who risked their own lives to save others.
Drake was the key speaker during Manchester’s annual service held outside Town Hall. She is a retired member of the township police department and spoke about her time responding with three other Manchester officers, Frank Magnapera, Phil Manolio and Chris Hembauser.
“For all of us this day will always be difficult. It is a day we will never forget and a day that we must honor for those who perished – especially those who lived here in Manchester and around Ocean County,” Drake noted. She described how her morning began that day and that when she saw the news she found herself “in disbelief and began watching what was already unfolding that September morning. At that time Tower 1 was already on fire. The second plane was hitting the tower and my heart sank.”
Councilwoman Sandy Drake describes the conditions she witnessed along with three other township police officers 24 years ago when she responded to Ground Zero in New York City after the 9-11 attack on America. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Drake stated, “I sat there in my living room helplessly and at that moment my only thought was ‘how am I going to explain this to my children?’ It was a place my family had visited only three days prior because my son wanted to visit Lady Liberty and we took a picture with the World Trade Center standing in the tall New York City skyline.” Those photos were on a display board arranged by Recreation Director Tracey Lynch for the ceremony.
“The nation was put on high alert. The weeks that followed that day were life changing. People across the country came together to help out in any way possible. The Manchester Police Department was no exception,” Drake noted.
“We were selected and I will never forget the first day we were sent to Ground Zero. State officials met us on the Garden State Parkway to escort us to the city. Road closures and many people looking for loved ones, schools supporting the first responders and American flags everywhere.
“As we entered the secured area you couldn’t help but notice the countless firetrucks, police cars and other vehicles. They were completely destroyed…parked exactly where the first responders had left them when they initially responded into the towers just weeks prior to our arrival. The frames of the World Trade Centers were leaning.”
Drake also described seeing the rubble and smelling smoke from the smoldering buildings. “Excavators and construction crews worked in 24-hour shifts carefully removing debris of the now-demolished World Trade Center.”
“We were preparing food, drinks and socializing with other first responders and volunteers who were working around the clock,” she added noting the difficulty involved in the work. “We would recover debris and human remains. Everything was paused as those Americans were pulled from the debris and we all formed a human chain in order for us to pay our respects.”
Members of the Manchester Police Honor Guard take part in this year’s 9-11 ceremony. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
“As the fallen Americans passed by us emotions among the human chain were indescribable, but I remember feeling a sense of unity with the collective group that I was with,” she said.
Drake said in reflecting that experience more than two decades ago, “all I can say is I will never forget this tragedy. I will never forget how this country came together in those moments of vulnerability working together to rebuild a stronger and a more united nation. It will remain as one of the most rewarding opportunities I ever had in law enforcement and public service.”
Council President Roxy Conniff hosted the ceremony in the absence of Mayor Joseph Hankins who had a work obligation. “On this solemn anniversary we gather to honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001. Today we honor the courage of the first responders, families and everyday Americans who stuck together in the wake of unimaginable tragedy.”
Conniff added, “what stands out most about this day is not just the sorrow but the unity in those hours and days that followed there were no divisions only neighbors, Americans united by compassion and resolve. Here in Manchester, we gather not only to remember the tragedy of September 11th but also to reaffirm our commitment to unity resilience and the values that bind us as a community and as a nation.”
A member of the Manchester Township High School ROTC performs Taps at the close of this year’s 9-11 ceremony. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
“Today in a world where we so often find ourselves divided, let us carry the same spirit of unity forward. Let us be reminded that what binds us together as Americans will always be stronger than what sets us apart,” she stated.
Township fire trucks filled an area of the municipal parking lot and a giant American flag flew in the breeze from one of the tall hook and ladders. Reverend David Rittinger of the Whiting Bible Church provided the invocation. There was a presentation of colors by the Township Police Honor Guard and the Manchester High School ROTC Color Guard.
Conniff joined Council Vice President James Vaccaro, Councilwoman Michele Zolezi and Drake in representing the governing body and Police Chief Antonio Ellis read the names of those lost that day from Ocean County.