By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
Friday, September 11, 2026, marked 25 years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as well as the crash of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pa. In observance of this somber anniversary, Pennsauken Township, its first responders, and the local community came together for both the annual flag placement at the town’s 9/11 Memorial and a special noontime ceremony.
American Flag Placement At 9/11 Memorial
On the evening of Sept. 10, the local community came together to place over 2,000 American flags across Pennsauken’s 9/11 Memorial, a tradition that has lasted for 23 years.
“On behalf of Township Committee, I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight,” said Pennsauken Mayor Patrick Olivo. “As I was putting the flags out tonight, I’ve been talking to a lot of people, and I see a lot of familiar faces. But I see a lot of young faces. And that gives me hope. That gives me hope because this is about remembrance. It’s also about Pennsauken keeping its promise and that we’ll never forget.”
Located at the corner of Merchantville Ave. and Rt. 130, Pennsauken’s 9/11 Memorial was first dedicated on September 11, 2003, as a tribute to the heroes of 9/11 and the dedicated first responders — police, fire, and EMS — who serve every day to protect residents and businesses in the communities where they work and live. In remembrance of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a steel beam from the World Trade Center North Tower was dedicated as a permanent part of the memorial.
The American flags remained at Pennsauken’s 9/11 Memorial until the following evening, with volunteers returning to the site to remove and prepare them for storage until next year’s ceremony on the evening of September 10, 2027.
Commemorating 25th Anniversary Of 9/11
On Sept. 11, Pennsauken Township held a moving ceremony at the town’s 9/11 Memorial that honored the lives lost in the attacks, reflected on the heroism of first responders, and emphasized the importance of remembering 9/11 for future generations, especially younger people who will only know this tragic day through history.
“It is difficult to believe that a quarter century has passed since that September morning that forever changed our nation. For many of us, the memories remain incredibly vivid,” said Pennsauken Mayor Patrick Olivo. “For younger people, September 11 is something they only know through history books, photographs, videos, and the stories that we have passed down to them.
“Today, we remember the 2,977 innocent lives taken from us in New York City, at the Pentagon, and aboard Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We remember the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, military personnel, and ordinary citizens who ran toward danger when others were running away. We remember those who survived. We remember the families who lost someone they loved. And we remember the first responders and recovery workers who carry the physical and emotional consequences of that day for years after. We also remember what happened in the days that followed. In one of the darkest moments in our nation’s history, Americans came together. We looked after our neighbors. We thanked our first responders. We flew our flag proudly. And the things that divide us suddenly seem much smaller than the things that unite us. Twenty-five years later, that lesson remains just as important.”
Pennsauken Township Committeewoman Jessica Rafeh, who serves as the town’s public safety director, spoke of the bravery of the community’s first responders.
“It is one of the greatest privileges of my life to stand alongside our first responders and to serve this community with them. As I look out and see these fine men and women today, I’m filled with tremendous gratitude. Maya Angelou once said, ‘Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.’ On Sept. 11, we saw exactly what she meant. Every rescue, every act of compassion, every life saved that day began with someone choosing courage first. That is the legacy our fire, police, and EMS departments carry forward. Not as a single extraordinary moment, but as a quiet daily commitment that never wavers. Pennsauken is incredibly fortunate to have public safety teams as devoted as ours. To our fire, police, and EMS departments, you are second to none. And it is my privilege to honor you today for the invaluable service you give this community every single day. Your courage does not go unnoticed. It does not go unappreciated, and it will never be forgotten.”
The event’s special guest speaker was Oscar Phillip Benjamin, a longtime Pennsauken resident and survivor of the attack on the Pentagon. Mr. Benjamin was an Army officer and chief of police intelligence for the U.S. Army’s Antiterrorism Operations Intelligence Cell at the Pentagon and the officer in charge on the morning of September 11, 2001. He sounded the first alarm that a plane was going to strike the facility.
“Tuesday, Sept. 11 started out like any other day. I was at my desk in my office; there were monitors all around me, and I saw the news saying that a small plane hit the North Tower. It didn’t look small to me. I shot down the hall to see General Peter Chiarelli in operations. I ran in and said, ‘We’re going to get hit right here!’ and desk. We ordered all civilians to evacuate the Army Operations Center and the military to man their stations. They missed the Pentagon on their first run. We didn’t find that out until later. If they had hit the first time, I probably wouldn’t be here to talk to you today.
“It was surreal to watch on TV as the building burned around us. We stayed there. I don’t remember how late I got outside, but the building collapsed; the ring had collapsed; police and firefighters were all over the place; rescue vehicles; all sorts of first responders.”
In the weeks that followed the attacks, Mr. Benjamin spoke about the kindness and generosity of others, from extra items in fast food orders to handwritten notes of encouragement from young children, that helped him through some challenging days.
“All of the civilian support had just a tremendous impact. It helped us get through.”
“I was so proud to be a part of that effort, as I’m honored to relate it here today,” said Benjamin. “What a magnificent show of strength and resilience among the military and first responders and the absolute compassion and empathy bonding the citizens of America. My God, I hope we get there again without another tragedy.”
“Mr. Benjamin, on behalf of Pennsauken Township and everyone that is here today, we want to thank you for your service and thank you for sharing a snippet of what you went through,” said Mayor Olivo.
Recognizing Bill Orth
Before the ceremony’s conclusion, former Pennsauken Mayor Bill Orth was recognized for his efforts to create
the town’s 9/11 Memorial in 2003.
“The Pennsauken Proud Award is presented to Bill Orth in grateful recognition of your extraordinary vision, dedication, and service to the Pennsauken community, for bringing Pennsauken’s 9/11 Memorial to life, for securing a steel beam from Ground Zero, and for establishing the annual flag placement ceremony that has become a cherished tradition in this remembrance,” said Township Committeeman Marco DiBattista. “Through your vision and perseverance, Pennsauken has a place to remember, a tradition to carry forward, and a lasting connection to the heroes and victims of September 2001. Your legacy, remembrance, and patriotism will endure for generations to come.”
“Thanks to everyone for being here this afternoon: my friends, some of my family, my lovely wife,” said a very grateful Orth. “I didn’t wear a fireman’s hat, never wore a gun. I never performed CPR on anyone either. But the people of our community, just like the people of 9/11, deserve all the credit in the world. They deserve all the plaques, all the awards. May God continue to bless you and bring you safety every single day. And may God protect our community and our people.”
As the ceremony concluded, Mayor Olivo reflected on the importance of remembering those who lost their lives, while honoring the courage and service demonstrated in the years since the attacks.
“Twenty-five years later, we remember those we lost and honor those who continue to serve. May we carry forward the courage, compassion, service, and unity that define our nation. And may we never forget.”
