Politics & Government

Ranney School Remembers 9/11

The Tinton Falls school held a service on Friday to remember the day and thank local first responders.

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Joanne Chropurka was working in the office of New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani when two planes crashed into the twin towers. Ten years later, Chropurka, who now lives in Holmdel, was at where two of her children are students to commemorate the attacks at a service there Friday morning. She said she wanted to be there for her kids and to help them grasp this "big part of our history."

Chropurka was seated before the program began with a few other parents who said that they had also been living in New York on Sept. 11, including Swati Warren of Rumson. She said she wanted to help put the events of that day into context for her children, who are also students at Ranney.

That idea of putting 9/11 into context as part of our nation's history was a theme throughout the program Friday morning, which memorialized the day but also focused on the strength and fortitude of the country and the "hidden heroes" who are our first responders.

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The sun broke through the threatening clouds as Ranney's Upper School Chorus sang the national anthem and set the stage for a service filled with song, poetry and recollections of the terrorist attacks and the resolve of this country.

Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff was surrounded by first responders, local police officers, fire fighters and guest speaker State Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos as he reminded the audience of students, parents and staff of the extraordinary accomplishments that can be achieved when a community unites as a nation.

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During his opening reflection on the value of remembering, Sykoff recalled the importance of thanking first responders for the role they played throughout the community after 9/11.

“Just as we will never forget those lost in the events of 9/11, we must also never forget the local police, fire and EMS teams who risked their lives, and continue working to help those in need each and every day,” said Sykoff.

Sykoff also thanked local politicians, including Kyrillos, for their unyielding guidance through times of despair. The senator referred to the morning’s service not only as a time to pray for the families of loved ones lost, but also to learn about self-sacrificing heroes of the United States.

“Although true that this community witnessed fear of terrorism, it also witnessed that which Americans are willing to do to help one another,” he said.

In acknowledgement of their services to the community, Ranney presented Kyrillos, Middletown Mayor Anthony Fiore and former Tinton Falls Police Chief Gerry Turning with school medallions and framed letters of merit, as well as recognized Second Lieutenant of the Tinton Falls Fire Company Brendan Tobin for his service to the community.

In addition, the school donated $500 to the Middletown World Trade Center Memorial Gardens — a memorial that honors 37 Middletown residents whose lives were taken as a result of the 9/11 attacks. According to Fiore, the tragic events of 9/11 taught not only Middletown, but also the nation, many lessons in character that will never be forgotten.

“When you look at the flag, I ask that you remember we are Americans,” said Mayor Fiore. “We cannot be defeated, we remember and we rebuild.”

In his remarks, Tobin encouraged students to visit Monmouth Battlefield State Park, where one of the largest battles of the American Revolution took place, in honor of the country’s history and determination not to succumb to fear.

Although many students at the service were too young to truly know of the turmoil and widespread fear felt throughout the nation on September 11, 2001, the morning’s memorial service provided a clear demonstration of the undying hope that still remains today.

“I learned that people in America died, but that American spirit will never die,” said fourth grader Peter Taunov.


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