9/11 memorial honors those lost
On Sept. 11, 2001, Mark Whitford reported for duty on FDNY Engine 23. He wasn’t supposed to be working that day, but he was needed to fill in for somebody who was taking the lieutenant’s exam. Mark never made it home that fateful day, leaving behind a wife and twin 1-year-old boys. He was a beloved son and sibling to two brothers and one sister. He loved being outdoors, hiking, climbing, scuba diving. Most of all, he loved a challenge.
His parents, Roger and Carol Whitford, are still trying to gather up the pieces the best they can. Each year, they hold a memorial ceremony at 17181 Minos Conway Road near Lewes to honor and remember those lost, and each year the event grows larger.
“The main reason I do it is because we never want to forget,” said Roger. “Since I’ve built this [memorial], I’ve had more people come by here. They come to my door, they tell me their stories, we all cry, and we have a beer together. A lot of the stories people never told before. It makes them feel good, which makes me feel good.”
To learn more, go to whitford.vip.
