Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson joined local officials and first responders Thursday for a poignant 9/11 Day of Remembrance ceremony at Lou Gehrig Plaza.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., community members gathered on Sept. 12 to honor those lost in the 2001 terrorist attacks, including many Bronx residents who perished on that tragic day.
The event, hosted by Gibson and officials from the Supreme Court of Bronx County, drew a crowd of about 100 people. Gary Axelbank, founder of the Bronx Music Podcast and host of BronxNet’s Bronx Talk and The Bronx Buzz, emceed the ceremony, which featured dance and musical performances.
“This [is] a day of reflection, a day of remembrance, and a day of solidarity,” Gibson said. “While yesterday was the official recognition of Sept. 11, we always annually come together because we know that there are many 9/11 families who feel the pain of this every single day. “
Gibson noted that the borough lost 144 residents on that fateful day.
Several other notable figures took to the podium to share their reflections on the day’s significance. Among them was NYPD Assistant Chief Benjamin Gurley, who vividly recalled the terror and confusion that gripped the city.
“Building Seven fell. We had to run into any establishment we could,” said Gurley, recalling the dust and debris that clouded the streets. “We lost some of our equipment because we had to flee. But for me, it’s personal. One of my best friends, Captain Janelle Sanders, died in 2022 of 9/11-related cancer. We started our careers together in the NYPD.”
Sergio Villaverde, a 9/11 first responder and Bronx attorney, also shared emotional memories. He stressed the importance of the messages of love left by victims, even in their final moments.
“When you listen to the phone calls from 9/11, none of those calls were messages of hate,” Villaverde said. “They were calls to people they loved. That’s what our first responders did—they responded with love.”
State Sen. Jose Serrano reflected on the collective trauma and confusion the attacks brought to the city. “We were trying to process because we had no point of reference,” said Serrano. “We hadn’t lived through anything like that before.”
The ceremony served as a reminder of the impact 9/11 continues to have on the Bronx, with many residents still grieving the loss of loved ones. As the names of those who died were announced, the solemn atmosphere was balanced by a shared sense of community, resilience, and the need to pass on the story of 9/11 to future generations.
“Everyone here has something in common,” said Axelbank. “We either experienced 9/11 ourselves or have passed the story on to our children. And we will keep telling it, because we must never forget.”
