To the Editor:

The Wareham Remembrance Committee wishes to sincerely thank and offer its appreciation to all those who in any way helped with, sponsored, participated in, or attended the Remembrance Ceremony on Sunday, September 11.

The ceremony was held to honor and remember those who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, in Pennsylvania, and to honor the first-responders who perished. The ceremony also recognized and honored the men and woman of our public safety community and those who fight to preserve the freedoms we hold so dear.

We especially wish to thank those who enthusiastically wanted to be involved in the reverent and respectful procession and ceremony: Highland Bagpiper, Peter Welch; Maggie DiPasquale and Spencer Boyer who carried the banner; Cantor Nathaniel Schudrich, Rev. Gerald Fernandes, Chaplain Paul Rose, Father Tom Washburn, and all of the Wareham Area Clergy; the Gulf War Veterans; the Parish Community Choir of St. Margaret’s and St. Mary’s Church; the Ladder Truck crews of Onset and Wareham Fire Departments; all of the Honor Guards; the Fire, Police, EMS and Harbormaster personnel; the Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts; the children from the Wareham Boys and Girls Club; local veterans; our public officials and dignitaries; Admiral Gurnon, the MA Maritime Color Guard, band and cadets; Teddy Mathews, Jr.; Capt. Bob Taliaferro; Sgt. Walter Correira; Steve Ruiz and the WCTV crew; and Capt. Howard Smith for the use of his antique fire truck for the Last Alarm tribute.

We greatly appreciated the support of our Board of Selectmen, the town administrator, and the Police Department in their respective roles in allowing this event to take place.

No event is ever possible without the willingness of individuals and local businesses to help fund the event. We would like to thank the Community & Economic Development Authority, Wareham Village Association, Onset Bay Association, Tony Rivera, Kathy Mackenzie, Orin and Carol Andersen & family, Marc Anthony’s Pizza, Shirt Shack, Ocean Graphics, Minerva’s Pizza, Nick’s Pizza, Random Access Inc., Kathy Andrade, Irene’s Flower Shop, Lindsey’s, Franklin Flags, Onset Hardware, Michael’s, Papa Gino’s Pizza, Santoro’s Pizza, and all those who gave but wish to remain anonymous. If we’ve unintentionally omitted anyone, please accept our heartfelt apology for the omission and our thanks as well.

The greatest pleasure of all was having such a large turnout. We want to especially thank all those who came. It was heartwarming to see the community come together to participate in this ceremony.

Respectfully,

Wareham Remembrance Committee

Rudy Santos, Chair

Winna Dean, Sandy Besse, Sharon Boyer, Garry Buckminster, Zack Dias, Bill Ellis, Marcine Fernandes, Al Gomes, Linda Lockwood, Eleanor Martin, Jamie McIntosh, Kody North, Sandy Randon, Julio Roderick, Claire Smith, Ira Somerset, John Walcek, Kevin Walsh