A sincere thanks from the 9/11 Day of Remembrance Committee for the event on September 11, 2026.

Good afternoon,

I would like to formally thank everyone who participated in our Third Annual 9/11 Day of Remembrance Procession and Ceremony held last Friday.

As I have reflected on the evening over the past several days, I have been reminded once again of what makes the Allentown community so special. Our residents, governing body, first responders, schools, organizations, businesses, volunteers, and families came together in a beautiful display of unity, community, service, and remembrance.

Every person who participated played an important role in making this year's ceremony meaningful, and I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank you.

First and foremost, thank you to the 9/11 Day of Remembrance Committee for the countless hours of hard work, planning, dedication, and commitment you put into ensuring that we never forget. A special thank you to Councilwoman Erica DeKranes for her service as a member of the Committee and for the time and dedication she contributed to making this year's ceremony so meaningful.

Thank you to the Mayor and Borough Governing Body for your continued support and for demonstrating what it means to work together as a unified governing body.

A special thank you to Mr. Guterl, Superintendent of the Allentown School District; Mr. Tom Buffa, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds; and the Allentown Department of Public Works for the incredible work that went into turning Borough Hall red, white, and blue and beautifying Pete Sensi Park.

We would also like to recognize the Shade Tree Commission and Chair Mr. Terry Brown for helping identify the beautiful tree that was planted, determining the appropriate location, and working closely with the Lions Club to bring this meaningful addition to the ceremony to life. The tree will serve as a lasting symbol of remembrance, growth, and hope for our community.

Thank you to the Millstone Elks and Millstone Elks Motorcycle Unit and the Allentown Lions Club for your generous support, including the donation and planting of the tree and your partnership throughout this event.

We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors, ShopRite and Ameripack, for their generous support of the 9/11 Day of Remembrance. Your contributions helped make this event possible and allowed our community to come together to honor and remember those whose lives were forever changed by September 11. We are truly grateful for your continued commitment to our community.

To the incredible students from Newell Elementary and Stone Bridge Middle School, thank you for creating the beautiful leaves describing what unity means to our younger generations. Seeing your thoughts and words incorporated into our ceremony was a beautiful reminder that remembrance is not only about looking back, but also about teaching and inspiring those who will carry these lessons forward.

Thank you to the New Jersey State Police for once again showing your support and for brainstorming with us about new ways to participate in future ceremonies.

We would also like to thank the Allentown Civil Air Patrol for participating in this year's ceremony and for standing with our community in remembrance. Your presence was a meaningful addition to the evening, and we sincerely appreciate your support.

To the volunteers from the Leo Club, National Honor Society, and Allentown Student Council, thank you for generously giving your time to help set up, organize, and participate. Watching our young people take an active role in remembrance is one of the most meaningful parts of this event.

We are deeply grateful to our speakers, Commissioner Ross Licitra, Lions Club member Kevin O'Neill, and Isabella McCleaster from Allentown High School's National Honor Society, for sharing such heartfelt reflections on the past, present, and future.

A very special thank you to Joey Blythe for the incredible photographs you captured throughout the evening. You captured more than photographs—you captured the heart of our remembrance ceremony and the spirit of togetherness that filled the evening. We are so thankful for every snapshot.

Thank you to Councilman Payson for participating in reading the names of the first responders and Monmouth County residents who lost their lives during that horrific tragedy. We also recognize Councilman Drennan for volunteering his time, helping distribute flags and flowers, and assisting with the banner as our students joined the ceremony.

We cannot forget to thank 9/11 Day of Remembrance Committee member Tony Cacciotti, who helped keep the entire ceremony moving while sharing his beautiful words and personal perspective as someone who was there in New York on September 11, 2001. Your dedication to ensuring that we never forget is truly appreciated.

We are also incredibly grateful to the musicians who shared their talents with us. Thank you to Yvonne Rondinone for her beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, Mr. Kevin Willois for his moving performance of Amazing Grace, and Mr. DJ Nebbia for generously providing the sound system, lighting, and beautiful background music.

And a very special thank you to the Allentown Marching Band and the student trumpet soloist who played Taps. Watching our young musicians participate in this ceremony is an honor and a beautiful reminder that future generations will continue to carry the responsibility of remembering and honoring September 11.

We are extremely grateful to the Robbinsville Fire Department for participating in the procession and standing alongside our community in remembrance.

A special thank you to Mr. Gary Dempsey, who brought his personal fire truck adorned with photographs from September 11. While those images are difficult to see, they remind us of what happened, what was lost, and the strength that brought our nation together in the aftermath.

To the Hope Fire Company volunteers, thank you for your participation and for continually standing alongside our community. Your dedication to protecting and serving others is something we are incredibly grateful for.

Thank you to La Piazza for generously donating the wonderful food that allowed us to gather together before the ceremony. There is something powerful about coming together over good food and conversation and strengthening the relationships that make a community strong.

We also want to thank the Allentown Borough Administrator Laurie A. Roth and Borough  staff for everything you did behind the scenes to support this event, from logistics and preparation to advertising and outreach. Your work helped bring such an amazing audience together.

And to the Allentown Police Department, led by Events Special Operations Lt. Stab, thank you for ensuring everyone's safety and for continuing to demonstrate what true community policing looks like. Your officers consistently show a genuine desire to engage with our residents and support the Borough in ways that help bring events like this to life. Your dedication and community policing efforts play an important role in making our events safe, welcoming, and successful.

Finally, to the most important part of this event—our residents, families, students, and community—thank you for showing up.

Every person in that audience carried a story. For some, it was a personal memory. For others, it was the memory of a loved one, friend, colleague, or community forever changed by September 11, 2001.

We saw adults sharing memories and young people sitting quietly and wide-eyed, listening and learning about what those days were like. Seeing generations come together to remember was incredibly powerful.

That is why we gather.We gather so the sacrifices of those who were lost are never forgotten. We gather so our children understand not only the tragedy of that day, but also the unity, courage, and resilience that followed. We gather to teach future generations the importance of service, compassion, love, and standing together when our neighbors need us most.

The tragedy of September 11 left a wound on our nation that will never completely disappear. But neither will the strength, courage, and unity that emerged from it.

It was truly an honor to work alongside the 9/11 Day of Remembrance Committee and everyone who helped plan, build, and bring this year's ceremony to life. Looking back, we are reminded of what it means to be part of the Allentown community.

Every photograph, flag, flower, name read aloud, song played, helping hand, and person who simply showed up represented the heart and soul of what we strive to embody.

Together, we remember.

Together, we honor.

Together, we serve.

Together, we move forward in unity.

May we continue to carry the lessons of September 11 into the future and teach generations to come the importance of protecting one another, serving our communities, embracing our differences, and choosing unity over division.

We are incredibly grateful for each and every one of you who helped make this evening so meaningful.

Thank you for remembering.

Thank you for serving.

Thank you for standing together.

And most of all, thank you for being part of the Allentown community.

Council Vice President Nikki A. Darling
Chairwoman of the 9/11 Day of Remembrance Committee