Teens honor attack victims in somber school ceremony

JERRY WOLKOWITZ Candles of remembrance honor victims of the attack on America during ceremonies at Marlboro High School on Sept. 20.

MARLBORO — The youthful faces of the teen-agers of Marlboro High School, intermingled with those of parents, school administrators, police officers, firemen and first aid squad volunteers, were illuminated by candles in the darkness of the school’s auditorium on Sept. 20 as the school band played a soulful rendition of "God Bless America."

The night had been a patriotic display of pride, determination and unity in response to the horrific events of the Sept. 11 attack on America.

However, just after the candles were lit and the room, packed with 900 participants, honored the victims with a moment of silence, tearful sniffles could be heard. Men, women and children wiped at their eyes, bringing back the memories of all that had occurred in the previous days.

In a 45-minute presentation that was organized by the students, the teens expressed themselves through readings and poetry.

JERRY WOLKOWITZ Paul Belkin, a member of the Marlboro Fire Company, sings the national anthem at the Sept. 20 service at Marlboro High School.

"The students just took it upon themselves to plan the whole vigil," said Principal James Mullevey, who also took part in the ceremony. "This was probably one of the most meaningful (events) I’ve been (involved in)."

In front of the school, the vehicles of the Morganville and Marlboro first aid squads were lined up. From the aerial platforms of two fire trucks, a large American flag was proudly draped to welcome those who attended the night’s activities.

Inside, Freehold Regional High School District Superintendent of Schools James Wasser, Mayor Matthew V. Scannapieco and members of the Township Council took the stage with Student Council President Steve Khadam Hir, Student Council Vice President Lori Bernstein and others to address the audience.

Wasser said, "Our nation struggles to make sense of this senseless tragedy. We are sad beyond belief. We’re caught between patriotism, our shock and our sadness."

The superintendent said, however, that terrorism or the threat of terrorism "cannot silence our spirit."

Freshman Jenna Meyersberg was the focus of attention as she read the words of a poem, "Pearl Harbor 2001," which was her personal description of the events that took place on Sept. 11.

"The smoke was black, the sun was blocked, the people on the street were more than shocked," she read.

Also reading to the audience, sophomores Julia Chang and Jamie Seested promised, "united we stand, never shall we fall."

Projected onto the auditorium wall was a waving American flag which provided an appropriate visual accompaniment to a vigorous performance by the school band of "Appalachian Spring."

The mayor thanked the students for uniting the school population and community in a demonstration of "leadership, citizenship and compassion."

As a commissioner of the state’s Victims of Crime Compensation Board, Scannapieco spoke of his job, which has him directing 45 employees in an effort to assist with the relief and compensation of those injured as a result of the disaster. He informed the audience that he had just spoken with a township employee who lost her son in the catastrophe and told them, too, about a friend, a New York City fireman, who "is among the missing, because he answered the call. I felt the pain, the grief, the sadness. It’s a very difficult burden that the survivors have to bear," he said.

In addition to the sorrow felt by those who have lost loved ones, Scannapieco mentioned that many individuals and households are undergoing a financial crisis as a result of the attack.

"A person’s home is no longer secure when the breadwinner is no longer there," he explained.

Scannapieco gave recognition to the firefighters and police officers who have provided assistance — as well as to those who did not survive — in the rescue efforts in the city.

He said approximately 20 members of the Marlboro Police Department immediately traveled to the site of the disaster to help in establishing perimeter security and assist with relief. He spoke of the numerous flags he has seen on display throughout the community.

"It’s so sad that it takes a tragedy of this magnitude to bring (patriotism) out," Scannapieco said.

He reminded everyone present of the necessity to gather resources to assist others during this time of need.

"It is through that love and caring and assistance that we provide that (the survivors) can go on," he said.

In reading to the audience, junior Sofia Hasini described the terrorist attack as "an assault on our integrity. The attackers forgot that the United States is not a temporary (country), but that we are established and here to stay."

She called on all Americans "to comfort each other in this time of need. This tragedy has not destroyed, rather it has fused us into one."

Barbara Loftus, student council adviser and business teacher, said that, with the exception of one piece, all of the poetry and readings presented during the evening had been written by the students.

Seniors Lori Bernstein, student council vice president, and Alexis Newman read from a Sept. 12 column that appeared in the Miami Herald. Columnist Leonard Pitts asked the perpetrators of the attack, "Did you want to tear us apart? You brought us together ... on this day, the family’s bickering is put on hold."

At Mullevey’s request to pay tribute to those who provide the community with service during emergencies, the audience members burst into applause, recognizing the efforts of police officers, volunteer members of the Marlboro and Morganville first aid squads, and volunteer members of the Robertsville Fire Company, the Marlboro Fire Company, the Morganville Independent Fire Company and the Morganville Volunteer Fire Company.

Mullevey praised the students for raising more than $4,000 in four days to contribute toward relief efforts for the families of the victims of the disaster. He said more than 200 students have promised to donate blood if needed.

"Our school is doing everything in its power to tell this community and world that we care," he noted, referring to the students as heroes.

Just before the end of the service, a moment of silence was observed, and "Taps" was played by the band. The candle lighting ceremony was led by about 150 of those who participated in the program. Lining up against the brick walls of the auditorium, those who held the candles did so as the rest of the crowd watched with feelings of patriotic pride and sadness.

When Police Chief Robert Holmes Sr. and the town’s four fire chiefs led the procession out of the auditorium, as the beat of the drums brought the ceremony to a somber finale, a quiet statement of community togetherness had surfaced in the night.

Maura Buzzelli was one parent who was moved by the nature of the night’s gathering.

"The students were beautiful," she said. "I feel very badly for a lot of the families who lost someone. It’s very upsetting, but I know we’ll overcome this."

Freshman Monica Golden said, "Being here tonight made me happy there are so many Americans who are proud to stand up for what they believe in."

Her friend, freshman Arthur Soria, said he attended the candlelight vigil to be able to show his feelings for the country in which he lives.

"I came here today because I wanted to show my pride in being an American. On the day it happened, I prayed for a lot of people," he said.

"This makes me cry," said Gloria Maurer, whose daughter, Jamie, is a sophomore. "The kids were great. The community is why I’m here to show support. I think this is the best way to show support."