Large Crowd Attends Brooklawn's Patriot Day Service
Friday, September 23, 2011
By Sara Martino
Gloucester City News
On the back of the Patriot Day Service program presented by the Brooklawn American Legion Post 72, a quote from the Bible is printed: “God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7.
Those citizens that attended the dedication of the Brooklawn 9/11 Memorial and Monument of the Delaware Valley held at the Brooklawn Memorial Park on Sunday showed the power, love and sound mind as they patriotically listened and observed the ringing of the bell to signify the times that the enemy attacked three American sites.
The applause as the hundreds of motorcycle riders passed in tribute to the Memorial almost drowned out the roar of the bikes, with the American Flag carried on the lead bike by Tony Meade.
Two American Army soldiers from the First Armored Division were introduced during the program and received a standing ovation.
They were Specialist Adam Saymon and his Commander, Abel Alejandro, stationed at Fort Bliss, TX. In a few weeks they will be deployed to Afghanistan.
Spc. Saymon is the son of Steven and Sonya Saymon. He showed pride in his service and in his father, whose had the idea of bringing part of the 9/11 artifacts to Brooklawn.
State Senator Donald Norcross (D-5) said Brooklawn Police Captain Steve Saymon showed a “true American spirit.”
He was one of the “First Responders” to go to the aid of his fellow Americans on that fateful day in New York City.
“I had an idea that came to reality and a mayor that came on board to the idea,” said Saymon, who thanked the many volunteers and companies that gave donations to the project.
“It was an honor to work with you all. I would also like to thank my wife who I thought might have forgotten what I looked like during these last weeks,” he said.
A proclamation on behalf of Governor Chris Christie was presented to Mayor Theresa Branella by Deborah Edwards, Chief of Staff for the Attorney General’s Office.
The message from the governor was to thank the Mayor and the town for their determination and patriotism.
Branella accepted the honor on behalf of all the residents and the many people who worked on the Memorial. No monies were collected for the project and volunteers accomplished all the many various designs that thoughtfully went into the Memorial.
The project started this summer with the idea presented by Captain Saymon. Artifacts, which many know by now, include the 8,438 pound, steel beam from the World Trade Center, a limestone block from the Pentagon and dirt from of the Flight 93 crash site in Stonycreek Twp, Pa approximately 15 miles from Shanksville.
Raymond Zawacki, Deputy Commissioner of Veteran Affairs, was the keynote speaker.
“Do not be complacent but be vigilant,” he told the audience.
Remarks were heard from many dignitaries and clergy.
Highlights included the Posting of Colors by the Post #72 Honor Guard, the singing of the National Anthem by Kelsay Morad, the bell striking of the “Four Fives” by Fire Chief Sam Cilurso, which is a fire department tradition honoring
fallen comrades.
Also, there was the stirring rendition of “Amazing Grace” by the Emerald Society and later the Candlelight Vigil around the Memorial that showed “we as Americans are not complacent about our love of country and freedom.”
Everyone rose to their feet when a young man, David Chorzelewski sang “God Bless the USA” especially when the words stated, “I am proud to be an American.”