In the worst of times, M'town 'showed our best' Hundreds gather to remember victims of 9/11 attacks BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer Clockwise from top left: Sgt. Fred Deickmann of the Middletown Police Depart-ment salutes during the playing of the national anthem at the township's Sept. 11 memorial service. Family, friends and loved ones who lost someone in the attacks were joined by the community in honoring those who died. A small guardian angel holds a picture of Kenneth Tietjen at a memorial marker in his honor. A memorial marker for Paul Nimbley was decorated by loved ones. MIDDLETOWN - Five years ago, 37 township residents lost their lives as part of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. On Monday night, the number of people on hand to honor their lives was multiplied by so much more. At least 500 people were in attendance for the township's memorial services at the Middletown Memorial Gar-dens, some of whom were family members, while most were casual observers of the event. Among the dignitaries at the proceedings were township Mayor Tom Hall, Deputy Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger and state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos, a Middletown resident, who spoke about the resolve shown in the wake of the tragic events. PHOTOSBYCHRIS KELLY staff "The memories are still fresh, and the pain is still with us," Kyrillos said. "But we have a story to tell. On that day, this community came out to support each other. We had Middletown firemen rushing to the Bayshore ferries to help out. People in this town rallied around each other, and it's been going on ever since that day. Even though we went through the worst, we showed our best." Following remarks from Hall and an opening prayer from the Middletown Fire Department chaplain, the Rev. Scott Harris, Mary Reidy got up to speak. Her son, Gregg, was on the 101st floor of one of the towers working for Cantor Fitzgerald when a plane hit the building. "Today's the day my family and I will always memorialize. It's a difficult day, and for me it's very tough," Reidy said. Reidy also spoke about the effect that the Middletown Memorial Gardens has had on the community. "The caring and love that went into creating these gardens is obvious," Reidy said. Following Kyrillos' speech, a candle was lighted for each of the 37 residents who lost their lives, mostly by family members of the deceased. "The caring and love that went into creating these gardens is obvious." - Mary Reidy