Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

September 11, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

City Commemorates Fateful 9/11 Anniversary

HAVERHILL- Mayor James J. Fiorentini led City officials, workers and the public in commemorating the 8th anniversary of the infamous terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. A brief and solemn ceremony was held on the front steps of City Hall.

The service was highlighted by Kristin Marino, daughter of New York City Firefighter Kenneth Marino, who died responding to the disaster at the World Trade Center towers with hundreds of other firefighters, police officers and public safety and medical personnel. A student in the 6th grade at Sacred Hearts School in Bradford, Kristin lowered the City Hall flag to half-mast and read aloud an Official Proclamation from Mayor Fiorentini designating the day as a “Day of Service and Remembrance” in the City of Haverhill.

The ceremony was also marked by a moment of silence at 8:46AM, observed at the moment when the first jet hit the World Trade Center.

“I was moved and honored by the presence of Kristin and her mother, 9/11 widow Katrina Marino, at today’s ceremony,” observed the Mayor. “I call on all citizens to observe this National Day of Service and Remembrance, as President Obama has recommended. In these times, we all need to consider giving a little something back to our country and our community.”

“We must never forget what happened that day, the lives that were lost, the heroism displayed and thefamilies left behind. When the attacks occurred, many police and firefighters lost their lives running into buildings to save lives, in a situation where anybody else would be running out,” noted the Mayor.“These first responders deserve our continued admiration for their bravery and heroism,” stated the Mayor.

“Likewise, our servicemen and women in the military need to remain in our thoughts and prayers,” noted the Mayor. “The events of 9/11 have led to a prolonged war, in which heroes such as Haverhill’s Evan O’Neill have given their lives in Afghanistan, and even more have died in Iraq. The recent battles with the Taliban remind us that the war is not over, and that we must not forget or dismiss the efforts of Private O’Neill and our other brave men and women in uniform.”

The Mayor made a special mention of the Haverhill victims of the 9/11 attacks and their local families.

“This date will never be forgotten for those families and it won’t be forgotten in this City either.”

From L to R: Police Chief Alan DeNaro, Kristin Marino, Mayor James J. Fiorentini, and Fire Chief Richard Borden