IN MEMORY OF
9/11/01
NATIONAL TRAGEDY

From CMC Freeholder Director Daniel Beyel

The message below was delivered by Cape May Freeholder Director Daniel Beyel at the opening of the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders' meeting Tuesday,
Sept. 11, 2001 at 7 p.m.

We, the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders, join with the rest of the nation in expressing our deep sadness as well as our extreme outrage at the terrorists' acts that we experienced today in New York City and in our country's capitol, Washington, D.C.

There are no words that can adequately reflect our horror in witnessing this atrocity.  As we sit with blank stares and glassy eyes, we are stunned by the swiftness, complexity, and sophistication of this cowardly attack.  Our anger and our thirst for justice are only overshadowed by our sincere condolences for the victims and their families.

While we stand firm in supporting the efforts of the President of the United States in apprehending and prosecuting those who are responsible for this tragedy, we ask the citizens of Cape May County to reflect on today's events and offer your deepest prayers for the innocent victims and their families.  I'd like to also assure everyone that Cape May County government is taking every precaution to ensure the safety of our residents during this crisis as well as offering assistance to our neighboring state of New York.

As we start this evening's meeting our hearts are heavy in mourning but we are also reminded of how proud we are living in the greatest nation in history.  Our spirits are strong as we face the aftermath of this shameful and deadly act on our fellow Americans.  Because despite today's tragic events, by keeping the wheels of government moving with this simple Freeholder meeting, we can symbolically show in our own small way that regardless of the terrorist assaults against our freedom, democracy never blinks.