Fallen remembered on 21st anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks

The Whitford family hosted its annual Patriot Day ceremony on a rainy Sunday near Lewes. 

In a memorial event that continues to grow each year, Roger and Carol Whitford maintained the annual tradition of honoring their son Mark and all 2,977 people who died during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Mark was one of 343 firefighters to lose their lives that day. A member of Fire Department of New York's Engine 23, Mark arrived with his crew after the second plane hit, and they entered the south tower to fight the fire. They reached the 21st floor before the tower collapsed. 

This year’s event featured the Delaware State Police Pipes and Drums, whose members walked down Minos Conaway Road to the Whitfords’ home, where they played “Amazing Grace.” Shaye Walker performed the national anthem before Deacon Bill McGann of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church and Lewes Fire Department Chaplain Charlie Arnold offered a few words. 

Local politicians Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes; Rep. Steve Smyk, R-Milton; and Sussex County Councilman Mark Schaeffer each shared stories and encouraged everyone in attendance to continue to remember what happened Sept. 11, 2001. Lee Murphy, a Republican candidate for U.S. Congress, spent a few minutes talking about being an Amtrak conductor and witnessing the attacks en route to Manhattan the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. 

“I saw a flash like I’ve never seen before,” he said, remembering that he had just left the Newark station. 

Not knowing what happened, he walked up to the street at Penn Station upon arrival. He saw people running away from downtown. Out of precaution, no trains were held at the station. People waited in Penn Station until they could leave.

“You could hear a pin drop that day,” he said. 

Once they were given the OK to leave, he found a friend on the train. He was covered in ash and soot. 

“He told me, ‘There were times today that I thought I’d never see you again,’” Murphy recounted. 

Nancy Seddio grew up in Manhattan when the World Trade Center was being built. She moved to Staten Island in the ’80s, where she worked as a therapist helping people with PTSD. She said people are still suffering 21 years later. She also relayed a recent interaction. 

While she was putting gas in her boat, a young man asked if she was a firefighter because she was wearing a Sept. 11 T-shirt. After explaining that she was not a firefighter, but wears the shirt to honor those who sacrificed their lives, the young man shared that his father was one of the people killed that day. He was only 9 months old at the time. 

Seddio said she invited the young man onto her boat, where they hugged and cried together. 

“Even though it’s been 21 years, we should never ever forget about how people suffered,” she said. 

In the two-plus decades since the terrorist attacks, the Whitford family has helped to raise and donate more than $50,000 to support organizations and scholarships. Roger and Carol Whitford established the Mark P. Whitford Scholarship Fund, which is available to students at Cape Henlopen High School. The 2021 recipient was Marina Santini. Fundraisers, including the sale of commemorative T-shirts, are held to support the effort. 

The event concluded with the playing of Bill Withers’ song “Lean On Me,” during which everyone huddled under a large tent, held hands and sang as rain fell.