Jersey City gathered on September 11, 2025, to remember and honor the more than 700 New Jersey residents who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Among them were 39 victims from the city itself.
The solemn ceremony paid tribute not just to those who perished that day, but also to the first responders who still face serious health issues from their service in the aftermath. With moving speeches, moments of silence, and symbolic gestures, the event reminded everyone of the city’s place in that tragic chapter of American history.
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Honoring the Fallen
The ceremony began with two moments of silence. The crowd took time to reflect on the lives lost.
First responders read aloud the names of the victims. This deeply emotional act made sure each individual was personally remembered.
Mayor Steven Fulop, who was in Lower Manhattan during the attacks, placed a wreath into the Hudson River. That simple gesture created a symbolic link between Jersey City and the World Trade Center site.
His presence meant even more because, after witnessing the tragedy firsthand, Fulop later enlisted in the Marine Corps. He really embodied the spirit of service and resilience that defined the city’s response.
The Waterfront’s Role on 9/11
Mayor Fulop also spoke about how Jersey City’s waterfront quickly became a makeshift triage center. During the largest maritime evacuation in U.S. history, thousands fled Manhattan by water.
Jersey City turned into a critical landing point. Volunteers and emergency crews provided aid, transportation, and some comfort amid the chaos.
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Voices from the Front Lines
Battalion Chief Richard Gorman, one of the firefighters who responded to Ground Zero within hours of the Twin Towers’ collapse, shared his harrowing memories. He, like many emergency personnel, still bears the physical and emotional scars from that day.
Greg Kierce, the director of the city’s Office of Emergency Management and a Ground Zero responder, spoke openly about his battle with 9/11-related cancer. His testimony highlighted the lasting health toll on those who acted selflessly in the aftermath.
The Cost of Service
Many first responders from Jersey City and beyond have since developed respiratory illnesses, cancers, and other health conditions tied to toxic exposure at the World Trade Center site. Kierce reminded everyone that these individuals are still fighting battles 24 years later.
Support for them remains a community responsibility, and honestly, it’s something we can’t just forget about.
Educating the Next Generation
Students from Hudson Montessori middle school attended the memorial. This was an intentional gesture to pass down the history and meaning of 9/11 to younger generations.
By engaging with these stories directly, the hope is that the youth will carry forward a commitment to unity, service, and remembrance. Maybe that’s the best legacy anyone could ask for.
Regional Memorials
The Jersey City ceremony was one among many held across the Tri-State Area. The well-known annual gathering at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in Lower Manhattan drew crowds as well.
Each observance had its own local details and collective spirit. These moments really strengthen the bonds between communities still deeply affected by that day.
Jersey City’s Place in the Story
This memorial reaffirmed Jersey City’s central role in the events of 9/11. The city served as a physical refuge during the evacuation and stood resilient in the aftermath.
Today, when visitors explore city districts along the Hudson waterfront, they walk in the very spaces that once served as emergency staging grounds. It’s a powerful connection to history, whether you realize it or not.
If you’re visiting to pay respects or just want to learn more about the local impact, there are plenty of options for where to stay in Jersey City. From boutique inns to full-service Jersey City hotels, travelers can easily find accommodations close to the memorial sites, waterfront parks, and cultural landmarks that keep the memory of 9/11 alive.
Connecting Past and Present
Spending time at the city’s memorial sites adds something meaningful to any list of things to do in Jersey City. Liberty State Park offers sweeping views of the New York skyline.
Guided historical tours pop up often. Visitors get plenty of chances to reflect, learn, and connect with the city’s present while still honoring its past.
If you’re curious about getting to Jersey City, it’s pretty straightforward. PATH trains, ferries, and major highways link the area to New York City and the rest of New Jersey.
This accessibility means more people can share in the stories and memorial events here. Jersey City really makes sure these important moments aren’t tucked away or forgotten.
Year after year, the city holds tight to its commitment to remembrance. The ceremonies act as a bridge, keeping the heroism, loss, and resilience of September 11, 2001 alive in people’s minds—reminding us of the city’s role in that history.
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Here is the source article for this story: Jersey City honors 39 residents killed in 9/11 terror attacks at annual memorial ceremony
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