OCEAN CITY, MD - A solemn ceremony at the Ocean City Firefighters Memorial marked a quarter-century since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. People gathered by the memorial on the boardwalk at North Division Street Friday morning to remember those who lost their lives, honor the first responders and acknowledge the survivors who continue to live with the consequences of that day.
Twin remembrance beams of light have illuminated the night sky near the boardwalk since Wednesday, a stunning visual display representing the World Trade Center towers that became a staple of how the town honors 9/11 each year since 2020.
People observed moments of silence at the exact times each plane struck.
At 8:46 a.m., attendees paused to remember the moment the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
For Maryland Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, who represents the Eastern Shore, the anniversary brought September 11 memories into sharp focus.
The morning began like many others for Carozza, who at the time was participating in a daily meeting as part of the executive defense team at the Pentagon.
"You're not really thinking that it will be your building, your workplace,” she said. “I think back to that day. You just wanted to do your own small part."
The Pentagon was hit at 9:37 AM. Senator Carozza said that after working early into the morning of September 12, she walked around the building to see where the plane had struck.
"I'll never forget it … there were firefighters on the roof of the Pentagon still fighting and putting that fire out,” she said. “I believe that's when it really hit me that we had been attacked … we had lost our colleagues and friends in this terrorist attack."
Friday’s 25th anniversary ceremony was not only a remembrance of those who died, but also a recognition of those who survived and continue to face the lasting effects of the attacks.
TJ Gilmartin was working on a building near the World Trade Center as a high-rise shop steward for the Cement Masons' Union when the attacks began.
Gilmartin said he initially thought the first plane crash was an accident. After the second plane struck, he knew something more serious was happening.
Gilmartin ran toward the World Trade Center to help where he could. He later spent weeks working in the debris at Ground Zero.
"I've been down here in Delaware since 2013,” he said. “Fighting the complications of 9/11."
In the 25 years since the attacks, Gilmartin has battled cancer and is currently dealing with radiation burns on his bladder.
"Pray for the first responders,” he said. “Two or three are dying every day … 25 years later, 9/11 is still killing."
Passing on firsthand stories like those of Gilmartin and Carozza was a central message during Friday's memorial services.
Organizers with the OCFD Memorial Committee told WBOC that educating younger generations is an important part of all five days of remembrance events surrounding the 25th anniversary.
Following the morning ceremony, the Red Knights Maryland Chapter 3 Parade of Brothers took to the Ocean City Boardwalk.
Organizers said about 250 motorcycles were officially registered for the parade, which set off from the boardwalk around 11:30 AM.
The Parade of Brothers has been coming to Ocean City on Sept. 11 for 24 years.
In Ocean City, the message remained the same: Never forget. Remembrance events continue at the Firefighters Memorial on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
