Cape Henlopen Elks hold ceremony to honor 9/11 sacrifices
Under beautiful blue skies, much like Sept. 11, 2001, in New York City, Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540 held its outdoor program to mark the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on this nation.
Under the half-mast American flag, more than 60 visitors, guest speakers and Elks members gathered to solemnly remember the events of that fateful day, commemorate the lives lost and honor the courage of those who remain. The event drew dozens of veterans, friends, family and volunteers to honor the service members and civilians who lost their lives during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The program included a moment of silence, prayers, patriotic songs and emotional accounts of personal experience and loss from two guest speakers – former NYPD Sgt. Jerold Price, and former NYPD Detective Chris Whitford, who lost his younger brother Mark, one of the 343 firefighters who died in the attacks. A number of NYFD and NYPD officers dressed in uniform were present to pay their respects.
Another guest speaker, retired NYPD Detective Denise Weston, eloquently said, “Today, I want to remember each and every soul we have lost on that day and since, as it is many. These losses cut across a strata of Americans. It knows no race, no gender, no religion ... it just is. As I humbly stand here, we must remember them all.”
After the program, all were invited into the lodge for a light lunch and fellowship.
