Bloomfield's 9/11 Memorial Service Paid Tribute to Those Who Sacrificed

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For thou art with me.” 

Senior Councilman Bernard Hamilton began this morning’s moving tribute to September 11, 2001, with these words from Psalm 23.  Amidst a gathering of Bloomfield residents that included surviving family members, firefighters, police officers, emergency personnel and township officials, the town remembered the day it lost three citizens and America lost more than 3,000. 

The tribute was especially poignant this year because it marked the tenth anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on American soil.

As Hamilton spoke, he read a statement issued by Governor Christie’s proclaiming September 11, 2011 as “Patriot Day,” a day of national remembrance and service. 

Chairman of the Bloomfield Educational Foundation, Michael Sceurman, delivered the welcome speech and introduced the Bloomfield Civic Band, which played patriotic selections throughout the event.  Sceurman then announced the presentation of memorial wreaths and framed certificates in honor of the three Bloomfield residents who died on September 11, 2001: Cesar Alviar, Catherine A. Nardella and Daniel Rosetti. 

Accepting a certificate on behalf of Daniel Rosetti was his son, Justin, 11, a sixth grader at Oakview School.   A member of the Alviar family accepted on behalf of Cesar Alviar. 

Though there was a quiet solemnity to the service, there were few overt shows of emotion in the crowd and among the family members.  At the conclusion of the service, Mayor Raymond McCarthy stepped up to the podium and delivered some powerful closing remarks. 

“We’re here after ten years to remember those people -- not who lost their lives, ladies and gentlemen, but those people who were murdered,” said McCarthy emphatically.  “Because when it comes down to it, we didn’t lose three thousand people to a catastrophic natural event, we lost over three thousand people to a group of people with such hatred for this community -- for this nation -- that they murdered our family, they murdered our friends, they murdered people in our nation.” 

McCarthy went on to thank the members of the Bloomfield fire department, the police department and the ambulance squad, whom he described as “heroes who continue to be the lifeline of this community.” 

After McCarthy spoke there was a memorial flag-raising by township workers as the Bloomfield Civic Band played, “God Bless America.”  At the base of the flagpole, surrounded by flowers, was an inscribed stone bearing the names of Alviar, Catherine A. Nardella and Daniel Rosetti, as well as a small, signed American flag and a framed memento. 

After the ceremony was over, residents gathered to talk and remember.  Among them was Christine Jinesta, the widow of Daniel Rosetti and mother of Justin. 

“Justin doesn’t remember what happened that day,” she said, as Justin stood beside her.  “He was only fourteen months old.  We went to Eagle Rock reservation one year when he was three to look at the skyline but I don’t think he understood.” 

Jinesta said she and Justin have attended the Bloomfield ceremony every year because that is what is most meaningful to them.  “This is what we do every year,” she said.  “But probably next year we’re going to go to Ground Zero.” 

“I’m excited for it,” said Justin, holding the certificate in honor of his father. 

“Justin wants to go but I think he’s a little nervous,” said his mom.  “When he was about seven he started asking some questions about Danny.  But about three years ago, he really knew.” 

Jinesta spoke a little about her husband Daniel, who was working on a temporary assignment in New York the day of the attacks. 

“Danny’s from Bloomfield, he was in the Carpenter’s Union,” she said.  “He was doing a job for only two days, Monday and Tuesday.  Tuesday was [intended to be] his last day on the job [before the assignment was over].” 

Jinesta paused, remembering the day.  “It was bad,” she said simply. 

The family had attended this morning’s ceremony with Jinesta’s sister, Patty George from West Caldwell.   They wondered aloud whether the township would continue to hold a 9/11 ceremony every year, now that the tenth anniversary had passed. 

“I don’t know if they’re having it next year.  I heard someone say this was the last year they’re going to do it,” said Jinesta. 

When asked if she would attend future ceremonies she replied, “Absolutely.” 

Sceurman, speaking to Patch after the event, was adamant that the town would not stop 9/11 remembrance events after 2011. 

“The mayor said, ‘we can never forget’,” said Sceurman.  “The day you stop doing this is the day you forget.  That’s the day ‘they’ win.  And we can’t have that.  We have to keep remembering."