Melrose Observes 25th Anniversary of September 11th Attacks
By Ellen Putnam
Melrose observed the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks with a ceremony honoring Melrose High School graduate Raymond J. Rocha, who died while working in the World Trade Center, and a ceremony honoring the public safety officers who were killed in the attacks.
Rocha, who graduated from Melrose High School in 1990, had recently started a new job at Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center when the attacks occurred. Rocha was the youngest of five children, and is still remembered fondly for his athletic and academic prowess, his strong work ethic, his kindness and generosity, and his big personality. Rocha’s football jersey number, 17, was retired in 2002. He would be 54 years old now.
On the evening of Thursday, September 10th, prior to the start of the first Melrose High School football game of the year, Mayor Jen Grigoraitis, MHS Principal Jason Merrill, and MHS football coach Tim Morris, along with Rocha’s family and friends, walked onto the field to honor Rocha and share memories of him. Lieutenant Matt Stavros of the Wilmington Police Department, who was in Rocha’s class at MHS, played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes in a moment of solemn remembrance.
On the morning of Friday, September 11th, the Melrose Fire Department and the Melrose Police Department hosted their annual joint ceremony honoring those who were lost in the attacks, in particular the 344 firefighters and 71 law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty on that day. At 8:46am, the moment when American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center, attendees observed a moment of silence, followed by “striking the four fives” - a tradition in the New York City Fire Department where a bell is rung to announce the death of a firefighter.
The City of Melrose, led by Veterans Service Officer Tammy Shovelton, then hosted a luncheon to honor our veterans, in particular those who served in the country’s response to the September 11th attacks.
The anniversary of September 11th was just as beautiful a day, and the sky just as clear as it was on that day 25 years ago. Years have passed, but they have not dimmed the memory of those we lost on that day and their courage, love, and sacrifice.
