September 13, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 21 . . Parade,Ceremony Held On Boardwalk FROM PAGE 20 fling mid-afternoon heat. After the parade down the Boardwalk, local Red Knights Senior Road Captain and Treasurer John Tartufo, who organizes the event each year, opened the ceremonies by thanking the town and its police, fire and emergency services agencies for making it possible. Tartufo called on the assembled throng to take a moment to remember that September morning 12 years ago. Bagpipers then led an honor guard onto the Firefighters Memorial for the placing of a ceremonial wreath and a silver firefighter’s helmet and black bunting at the foot of the memorial and just a few feet away from a burnt and twisted piece of steel girder from the World Trade Center at the back of the memorial. Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan remarked that site on the Boardwalk on the late summer afternoon presented the perfect backdrop for the solemn ceremony. “What could be a more appropriate place to be?” he said. “This is the perfect spot. I walk by this very spot several times throughout the summer, and I always see people stop at this memorial to pay their respects and read these inscriptions and it’s a tremendous reminder of the tragic loss and, more importantly, the resilience of this country. As long as I am mayor and hopefully long after, I will always be here on September 11. … We meet here this day with remembrance, gratitude and prayer.” Ocean City Fire Chief Chris Larmore remarked on the size of the big crowd that had gathered and the growth in the annual event. “It’s reassuring to see this big crowd here,” he said. “We will never forget September 11 and the size of this crowd, which I think is bigger than ever this year, assures that.” Delegate Mike McDermott provided the most stirring address during the ceremony and called on those in attendance to remember the countless heroes on that day. “Before September 11, we had different definitions of super heroes, those who could leap tall buildings or were more powerful than a locomotive, but we got a new definition on that day,” he said. “While people were rushing out of those buildings, they were running in. They didn’t look back to see who was watching, or if there was a television camera around. They made the ultimate self-sacrifice. When we talk of real heroes, we remember those who have fallen and many more yet to be born.” McDermott called on the assembled crowd to mark the anniversary with prayer and remembrance but also with resilience and strong will. “People refer to that day as a tragedy, but it was an act of war,” he said. “We often ask for a moment of silence, but I urge you to lift up your voices. This is not a day for the faint of heart.” OPEN EVERY DAY AT 10 A.M. BETWEEN CAROLINE AND TALBOT STREETS ON THE BOARDWALK 410-289-6953 FIND US ON FACEBOOK APPAREL SHOP • LOTTERY • KENO SURREAL FRIDAY & SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13 & 14 PHOENIX RISING FRIDAY & SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20 & 21 BAD W/ NAMES FRIDAY & SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 27 & 28 BUCKET SPECIALS WEEK DAYS UNTIL 8 P.M. OCEAN CITY Since MARYLAND 1973 SNOW CRAB LEGS & CLAWS, CARVED PRIME RIB, RAW OYSTERS AND CLAMS, BBQ RIBS AND CHICKEN, FRESH FISH, STEAMED SHRIMP, FRIED SHRIMP, FOUR HOMEMADE SOUPS, FRESH SUMMER SALADS AND VEGETABLES, HOMEMADE DESSERTS AND SOFT ICE CREAM STATION AND LOTS MORE! PLENTY OF ASSORTED MEAT ITEMS FOR NON-SEAFOOD LOVERS 150 Feet Of Delicious Food The Ultimate All-You-Care-To-Eat SEAFOOD & PRIME RIB BUFFET Full a la Carte Menu • Special Selection Of Foods For Your Children, When The Kids Are Happy, So Are The Parents! Over 500 Dining Seats Items Subject To Change OPEN SUNDAY-FRIDAY AT 4 P.M. SATURDAY AT 3 P.M. 71st Street & Coastal Highway Ocean City, Md. • 410-524-7171 www.thebonfirerestaurant.com NEWLY EXPANDED WAITING AREA WITH COMFORTABLE SEATS FOR ALL. WE TRY OUR BEST TO SEAT PEOPLE PROMPTLY. FRI., SEPT. 13, SUN.-THURS., SEPT. 15-19 4 P.M.-5 P.M. SAT., SEPT. 14, 3 P.M.-4 P.M. EARLY BIRD $5 OFF REGULAR ADULT BUFFET