CAPE MAY, N.J. – Members of U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May stopped to remember the anniversary of the Sept., 2001 attacks by holding a brief ceremony on the parade field, Friday.
The ceremony included a speech from the commanding officer, Capt. Todd Prestidge, a prayer from the Chaplain, Cmdr. Shaun Brown and a speech from Seaman Recruit Autumn Bykofsky-Conley, both a Texas native and a recruit currently in basic training. Bykofsky-Conley will be stationed at Coast Guard Station Houston, following basic training.
The ceremony featured the laying of wreaths, a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.
Additionally, local Coast Guardsmen will help surrounding communities in South Jersey remember the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, by supporting several Patriots’ Day celebrations.
Coast Guardsmen from Training Center Cape May are scheduled to support four remembrance ceremonies by providing color guards, buglers or keynote speakers at the events. Each of these ceremonial services will serve as a key element to the many local remembrance ceremonies being held in the area.
"It will be my honor to attend many Patriots' Day ceremonies today throughout our community," said Prestidge. "It is important that we remember this tragedy where so many were lost, but which helped define our generation and our Nation's fighting spirit."
Prestidge will participate in the Cape May County Board of Freeholders 9/11 Memorial Ceremony in Cape May Court House, N.J., at 5 p.m. and in the City of Cape May’s Patriot Day Ceremony at the Cove located at the intersection of Second Street and Beach Avenue at 6 p.m. Prestidge will be the keynote speaker at both ceremonies.
Coast Guardsmen will also attend Patriots' Day ceremonies at the FAA Technical Center in Pomona, New Jersey, as well as at Osprey Point in Seaville, New Jersey, both of those events begin at 10 a.m.