PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS, N.J. (Morris County) — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners will host the 24th Annual Morris County 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 6 p.m. at the Morris County 9/11 Memorial, 460 West Hanover Ave.
This year’s keynote speaker is Rudy Sanfilippo, a former New York City firefighter and union representative for Manhattan’s 2,000 firefighters during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Sanfilippo was among the first to arrive at the South Tower command post and one of the last to leave before the tower collapsed, a blast of wind from the pancaking floors knocking him off his feet.
When he emerged, he was the only firefighter within 50 feet to walk out alive. In the days and months that followed, Sanfilippo coordinated support for firefighters and their families, ensuring a respectful recovery process at Ground Zero.
The ceremony will be led by the Morris County Commissioners and joined by public officials including State Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon. The program will feature a procession of police, fire, and EMS personnel, candle lighting, an invocation by Rev. Herman Scott of Calvary Baptist Church, and the reading of the names of the 64 Morris County residents who died in the attacks. Musical tributes will be performed by the Police Pipes and Drums of Morris County, the Morris Choral Society, and the duet of Darren O’Neill and Ereni Sevasti.
The Morris County 9/11 Memorial honors the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks, with special recognition for the 64 county residents who perished. Their names are engraved on ruby-colored stones surrounding the memorial, and brass plaques for each appear on the inner wall.
Seating is limited, and the public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Parking will be available at the Morris County Department of Human Services, 340 West Hanover Ave., with a shuttle to the memorial. Police, fire, and rescue agencies may participate by sending one apparatus per department, assembling at 4:30 p.m. at the Morris County Public Safety Academy, 500 West Hanover Ave.
