Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story mis-reported Judy Cobden’s place of work during the Sept. 11 attacks. WawickPost.com regrets, and has corrected, the error.
WARWICK, RI — About 40 people gathered Tuesday night at the Oakland Beach Sept. 11 Memorial to remember the people who lost their lives during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and in the aftermath.
Dist. 21 Rep. Camille Vella-Wilkinson led the ceremonies, and read a speech written by RI Attorney Peter Kilmartin reminiscing about the innocence Americans enjoyed in 2001 before the attacks, and also the camaraderie Americans shared in the days following the attacks as people strove to help the survivors and comfort each other.
“We will stand together in the face of true adversity. Just as we did in 2001,” Vella Wilkinson read.
Vella Wilkinson said she began organizing the vigils three years ago after hearing from constituents in her City Council district who couldn’t attend a daytime ceremony.
Natan Cornell, candidate for School Committee Dist. 3, played taps on his bugle for the vigil. He said he’s been playing taps at the Sept. 11 memorial ceremonies, daytime, for the last four years, and during the candlelight vigils for all three years they’ve been organized.
Dist. 2 School Committee candidate Judith Cobden, a survivor of the attacks who worked at the American Stock Exchange doors at 86 Trinity, which was on Ground Zero and escaped the falling buildings, retold her experience for the crowd, and also called on Americans to unite to face the nation’s challenges.
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