It’s this generation’s “where were you when?”  In the same tragic vein as older generations recalling where they were when John F. Kennedy or Martin Luther King were assassinated.  Moments frozen in time, forever uniting those who lived through them—transporting us back to those hours, and the days that followed, in remembrance.

This tragedy wasn’t on our local shores, but the impact was no less severe.  For every person who was too soon taken that day, is representative of each of us.  The worst loss of human life on U.S. soil since the country was at war—with itself.  Now, ten years later, the impact is still devastating–but the silver lining is that such awful circumstances do bring forth a unified front—we are all part of this shared experience.

Likely on Sunday September 11th, we will all treat each other a little kinder, hold our children a little closer, and reflect on the simple joys in our own lives we seldom have the opportunity to appreciate.  And in that way, we further remember those who lost their lives—with a deeper appreciation for humanity.

Activities and memorial locations are listed below for those who wish to join the local community in remembrance:

  • The Ocean City Firefighter’s Memorial on the boardwalk (as seen below) is dedicated to those firefighters who lost their lives at Ground Zero.
  • The Ocean City Fire Department will hold a memorial service at 8:46 am, the exact time the first plane flew into the North Tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11.  Following the Memorial will be a parade across the Route 50 Bridge to the fire department’s new location on Keyser Point Road,
  • A brief ceremony will be held at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines, starting at noon.  There will be readings, with the memorial lasting 30-40 minutes.  Those who attend are advised to bring a folding chair, and are asked to war red, white, and blue.
  • A commemoration ceremony will take place a Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin at 2pm, featuring guest speaker Lt. Col. Kenny Cox, who risked his own life by rushing back into the Pentagon on 9/11.  The event is free.
  • The annual September 11th Memorial Spot Fishing Tournament is taking place through the Ocean City Fishing Center.  Children are welcome.  Call 410.213.1121