Today, over 150 residents of Ocean Beach (OB) and neighboring communities gathered at the World Trade Center Steel at the Ocean Beach Fire House to commemorate 25 years since September 11 of 2001. This steel, which arrived in 2011, was granted to the Ocean Beach Fire Department (OBFD) by the Port Authority of NY and NJ and dedicated to the three members of our community and all others who were lost on 9/11. The community has gathered at the OB Fire House on the morning of September 11 every year since then.
This morning’s ceremony was officiated by OBPD/OBFD Chief George Hesse, with participation from Mayor Jim Mallott, Trustee Ian Levine, three faith leaders, and the proud members of the OBFD and the Ocean Beach Police Department (OBPD). The service recognized the large group of men and women from the OBFD and OBPD who bravely and selflessly volunteered to help at Ground Zero in 2001, immediately after the attack, and included the “four fives” bell ceremony, which signifies that a firefighter has responded to their last call. The service concluded with Father Eric Fasano of Our Lady of the Magnificat Church, who played America the Beautiful and Amazing Grace on his bagpipes.
