FORT LEE, NJ — Fort Lee residents, local officials, first responders, students and community members gathered at Constitution Park on Friday evening to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The ceremony began at 5 p.m., with Mayor Mark J. Sokolich serving as Master of Ceremonies, guiding the program, introducing speakers and announcing each part of the remembrance.
The Fort Lee Police Department presented and posted the colors, followed by the National Anthem performed by Irene Choi of the Fort Lee High School Choir. Councilwoman Ila Kasofsky led the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Police Honor Guard later retired the colors.
Opening prayers were offered by Rabbi Ilan Acoca of Sephardic Congregation Bet Yosef of Fort Lee and Rabbi Meir Konikov of Chabad of Fort Lee.
Michael DeGidio, a firefighter and 9/11 survivor, delivered opening remarks, providing a deeply personal connection to the events of September 11.
Several elected officials also addressed the gathering, including State Senator Gordon Johnson, Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton and Assemblywoman Ellen Park, along with other local and county representatives.
In addition to the scheduled speakers, a number of officials and community members who were present were invited to come forward, speak from the stage and share their own memories and experiences connected to September 11.
Fort Lee High School students Isabelle Anconetani, Bianca Rosario, Madison Richter, Madison Eastmond, San Yun and Hudson Albanese participated in the reading of the Emergency Services’ Memorial Plaques.
One of the most moving parts of this year’s ceremony was the reading of the names of Fort Lee residents who lost their lives in the September 11 attacks. After each name was read, the memorial bell was rung.
That detail marked a significant addition to the ceremony for the 25th anniversary, giving each individual name a separate moment of remembrance.
Wreaths were presented by representatives of Fort Lee’s Ambulance Corps, Office of Emergency Management, Fire Department, Police Department and PBA #245, as well as by members of the Mayor and Council.
The ceremony also included a moment of silence, the ringing of the memorial bell, a 21-gun salute by the Police Honor Guard and Taps performed by the Police Department.
Members of the public were also given an opportunity to share personal reflections and memories before the ceremony concluded with a prayer by Rev. Dominick Apollo of First Reformed Church.
Twenty-five years after September 11, Fort Lee’s ceremony centered not only on the national tragedy, but also on the people from the local community whose lives were lost, the first responders who served, and the residents who continue to carry personal memories of that day.
Sources: Official Fort Lee 9/11 Memorial Ceremony Program, September 11, 2026
NJ Radar on-site coverage and photographs
By NJ RADAR Team