By Carol Britton Meyer

The Town of Hull won’t be hosting a 9/11 remembrance ceremony this year, disappointing many of those who have participated in the annual event for the past two decades.

Resident Mary Jane Silva, who has been involved with the event for 18 years, was among those disappointed when she recently heard that Hull’s tradition of marking the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks would not happen in 2022.

Townspeople and residents of the surrounding area have attended “because they know Hull is the only [community in the area] that takes the time to show its respect and give thanks to those whose lives were lost on that horrific day 21 years ago,” Silva wrote in a letter to the editor to The Hull Times, which can be found on page 2 of this week’s edition. “It is disheartening to see it all come to an end. Not to mention what our youth learn from it all … as it becomes history.”

Silva told The Hull Times in a telephone interview that she is aware of others who share her concerns and sadness that the event isn’t taking place this year and are making their views known, including several who also contributed letters to the newspaper.

Town Manager Philip Lemnios explained the reasoning behind this decision.

“Last year marked the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attack, and the town has hosted a formal recognition for 18 years,” Lemnios said in an email response to the Times. “At the conclusion of last year’s event, it was observed by many in attendance that we should go on a five-year schedule to allow the event to be reinvigorated. This event was becoming overly repetitive, with attendance diminishing in part because much of what can be said has been said over the years.”

Lemnios noted that at different times, annual recognitions for a variety of other events have also been curtailed, including the World War II remembrances of Pearl Harbor Day, Victory in Europe (VE Day), Victory Over Japan (VJ Day) and others that “no longer have official local annual events associated with their occurrence. The lack of an annual event does not diminish their importance in our history. There is no doubt that people will pause and reflect on the significance of 9/11 without a formal event each year.”

Lemnios said he told Silva that nothing would prevent her from hosting her own event if she felt it was important to do so and “to invite those who are seeking companionship on 9/11. What occurred is important and will never be forgotten.”

The remembrance was organized from its beginning by former Select Board member John Reilly as master of ceremonies, and most recently Select Board member Domenico Sestito in that role, Fire Chief Christopher Russo, Silva as a citizen, Town Manager Philip Lemnios, and other town officials and members of the community.

The role of the master of ceremonies is to be involved with planning the event “to create an environment that honors the memory of the victims of 9/11 and that also educates our youth,” Sestito told the Times.

The Hull Police Department has always participated, along with scouts, religious leaders, the state Representative and Senator, musicians, and members of the U.S. Coast Guard in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation for use of the Bernie King Pavilion.

Sestito called cancellation of the event this year “unfortunate” but understands the circumstances that led to the decision.

“For 18 years we’ve been very dedicated to this event,” he said. “We haven’t forgotten [the events of 9/11], but we are changing how the remembrance will evolve moving forward.”

Reilly also shared his thoughts with the Times.

“It is my understanding that nothing would prevent a group from gathering and holding a ceremony without ‘official’ town participation, including the fire and police honor guards,” Reilly said.

The history of the ceremony goes back to 2001, shortly after the attacks. “Many people were anxious to do ‘something’ to help our country and to how support for those who lost their lives, their families, first responders, and our military,” Reilly said.

As a result, a group of people got together and planned a ceremony to “reflect, pray, and rally,” he recalled. The first event included a parade of red, white, and blue construction trucks representing the many trades that assisted in the recovery of victims and the clearing of the rubble.

In 2002, with the assistance of Silva and Nancy Allen, Reilly began the observance that was to become a tradition.

“The annual event evolved into a diverse group of people from all walks of life, ages, and religious beliefs,” he said. “The common bond was being an American.”

Time was taken during every ceremony to “reflect and remember while listening to the Temple Beth Sholom-St. Ann’s-St. Nicholas choir, the South Shore Men of Harmony, and Lily Sestito joining voices to salute our country,” according to Reilly. “Mary Jane shared our collective anger, sadness, and inspiration for ‘stars to rise from the ashes’ through her poetry, and her husband, John ‘Doc’ Silva, read the police officer and firefighter prayers.

“The most poignant moments of the ceremony were the police ‘End of Watch,’ and the fire bell tolling 5-5-5, followed by the playing of ‘Amazing Grace’ on bagpipes,” he said.

What stands out to Reilly the most is, “We are all Americans first. We will always remember the events and victims of 9/11, and the importance of teaching the younger generation about 9/11.”

As a community, Reilly supports finding an appropriate location in town to place a 9/11 memorial at which individuals and groups can gather and “renew our pledge to ‘never forget.’”