Marblehead first responders and Town officials hosted a 9/11 remembrance ceremony in Memorial Park last Thursday.
Fire Chief Jason Gilliland opened the ceremony, calling Sept. 11 a day “etched in our soul,” particularly for those in the fire service. He remembered the 343 firefighters who died in New York City as well as police officers, paramedics, and other first responders who rushed toward danger.
“Ordinary people became extraordinary,” he said, noting the bravery of both first responders and civilians who acted selflessly amid chaos.
The ceremony featured prayers, readings, and personal reflections. Speakers emphasized the need to educate younger generations, many of whom were not yet born in 2001. “To them, it is history. To us, it’s a memory,” Gilliland said.
Town officials also honored Marblehead residents who lost their lives in the aftermath of the attacks and in the wars that followed. Clergy offered blessings for peace, healing, and unity – and one speaker, Veterans Agent Ro Trionfi-Mazzuchelli, reflected on her Army Reserve service, urging the community to “live like you vowed on 9/12 — love more, live more, and serve more.”
In an interview with The Weekly News, two retired firefighters shared vivid memories of the day, from standing vigils on Franklin Street to hearing military jets overhead as commercial flights were grounded.
“That was my shift that morning. It was quite after 10 o’clock in the morning. We didn’t know what to do everyone was in shock,” Walter Conrad said.
Gary Bartlett added, “It was hard to believe what we were seeing on television; we couldn’t believe it.”
The service concluded with prayers for strength, compassion, and the resolve to carry forward the values of freedom and justice.
