The River View Observer announced in its December 1, 2025, issue that, starting January 1, 2026, within each issue of our 2026 issues, we will showcase a photo taken by Stephen A. Mack, our part-time River View photographer for the past 15 years.

We thought the best way to kick off Mack’s photo series was by placing him as our January 1st, 2026, cover story, or rather a story in pictures.
Mack has been involved with photography for over 30 years, a love for taking photos began early in his life, what made him serious about his love for photography was when an old girlfriend entered a picture of Mack’s in Long Beach Island’s photo contest without Mack’s permission, he won, only to find out when he received a $100 check in the mail as the first place winner.

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The post Our latest Issue for January 1, 2026 first appeared on River View Observer.

The Hudson County Community College (HCCC) 9/11 Memorial event will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 2 p.m. Pictured here, the steel fragment of a supportive I-beam from one of the original World Trade Center Twin Towers that is displayed on the sixth-floor terrace of the
HCCC Gabert Library.

Twenty-four years ago, Hudson County lost 155 residents in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. They were among the nearly 3,000 individuals – including 900 New Jerseyans – killed in targeted attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93. Throughout the years, vigils continue with family members and supporters paying tribute to the parents, children, siblings, cousins, friends, co-workers, and neighbors who were lost on that fateful day. 

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) will once again host a 9/11 Memorial to honor victims and their families. The event will take place on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 2 p.m. in the Gabert Library located at 71 Sip Avenue in Jersey City. Elected officials, emergency responders, students, educators, historians, and others will offer reflections, remembrances, and tributes from the College’s HCCC Benjamin J. Dineen III and Dennis C. Hull Gallery and Atrium that have panoramic views of the New York City and Jersey City skylines. Those who wish to attend are asked to register here.

“The 9/11 terrorist attacks changed our skyline and our waterfront, and reshaped our collective perspectives,” said HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “Jersey City became a focal point as a hub for enhancing security and infrastructure protection and for building alliances connecting people of all faiths, races, and backgrounds. We will never forget the individuals we lost, and the lives impacted.” 

“This day carries immense significance in our community – Hudson County is just across the river from Manhattan where the tragedy of 9/11 occurred. Many of our police officers – including myself and Chairman Anthony L. Romano – firefighters, and EMTs were there that day and the days that followed to support our community and country during this difficult time. And each year, we renew our commitment and dedication to never forget the 155 Hudson County fallen residents and their families, as well as those that have passed from 9/11 related illnesses over the past 24 years,” said Hudson County Executive Craig Guy. “I am grateful to Hudson County Community College and President 
Dr. Chris Reber for holding this memorial event to honor the victims of 9/11 and continue educating our youth about what this day means to our Country.” 

HCCC Associate Director of Institutional Engagement and Excellence Training Richard Walker will begin the memorial event by introducing HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber, who will welcome guests. Hudson County Board of Commissioners Chair Anthony L. Romano will provide the keynote address. The Commissioner will be followed by Jersey City Fire Department Battalion Chief and published author Dwayne Taylor.

Other speakers include HCCC Associate Professor of History Antonio Acevedo discussing the Historical Impact of 9/11; HCCC Associate Professor Emeritus Joseph Colicchio, who served as faculty at the College at the time of the attacks; HCCC Associate Director of Veterans Affairs and International Students Zachary Forrest, who will introduce HCCC Fire Safety Manager Patrick Del Piano; New Jersey Police Training Commission Vice Chair James Sharrock, who will offer additional reflection; HCCC Coordinator of Cultural Affairs Salma Abdelwahed, who will introduce Student Poet Victoria Lenga; and HCCC Vice President for Institutional Engagement and Excellence Dr. Yeurys Pujols, who will deliver closing remarks.

A key feature of the rooftop terrace adjoining HCCC’s sixth floor Atrium is the World Trade Center steel fragment that came to the College from the Office of the Executive Director at the New Jersey State Museum. Part of the “Remember 9/11” exhibit at the Museum in 2013, the sculpture was donated to the College when the Museum sought appropriate institutions to display 9/11 artifacts. Specifically, the steel fragment is believed to be from the North Tower’s East Façade, floors 89-92. All of those in attendance are welcome to view the artifact from 9:00 a.m. until the start of the ceremonies. 

The HCCC Foundation Art Collection includes 9/11-related artwork displayed in HCCC Journal Square Campus buildings:
https://www.hccc.edu/community/resources/documents/foundation-art-collection-9-11.pdf

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The Hudson County Community College 9/11 Memorial, a steel fragment believed to be from the World Trade Center North Tower East Façade.
Wounded Warrior Leader Chris Hoff will recount his experiences in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks; former New Jersey Attorney General John Farmer will speak.

  The 9/11 terrorist attacks killed citizens of 78 countries on United States soil, an act that challenged America’s strength and resilience. A generation later, annual remembrances honor the 2,977 lives lost in targeted attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93. The attacks took the lives of more than 700 New Jerseyans, including 155 Hudson County residents. Twenty-three years later, the pain of that day is still palpable as families mourn loved ones, workers remember lost colleagues, children have grown up not knowing a parent, and supporters continue to honor the fallen.

The post Twenty-Three Years Later, Hudson County Community College Never Forgets, Invites Community to Join 9/11 Commemoration first appeared on River View Observer.

Jersey City, NJ – Paul Vega remembers exactly what he was doing when the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center as if it were yesterday. Except it was 19 years ago this month.

Vegas was driving an ambulance, with a patient he picked up a few minutes earlier, to Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC), where he was employed as an EMT. 

He recalls seeing smoke billowing from the tower, but his two-way radio wasnâ€t working, and he had no idea what had happened. Like many people in the initial moments after the tower was struck, Vega thought it was an accident – a small plane or news helicopter that had collided with the building.

The post Jersey City Emergency Medical Technician Recalls 9/11 first appeared on River View Observer.

Commuters riding the PATH trains from Newark to the World Trade Center (WTC) in NYC have cause to celebrate: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced yesterday that weekday PATH Service between Newark and the WTC has been restored, although PATH service is still unavailable on weekends. Through February, from Fridays at 10 p.m. through Mondays at 5 a.m., crews will use this stretch of time to repair damages caused by Hurricane Sandy.

 With Hoboken PATH service to WTC still under construction, Hoboken commuters must continue to find alternate routes to downtown NYC. According to a press release put out by the Port Authority of NY and NJ, “Crews continue to work around-the-clock to return weekday Hoboken to World Trade Center service and weekend service between Newark and the World Trade Center. Those are the final segments of service yet to be restored.”

PATH Train photo: Source- Bing.com

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JERSEY CITY – Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, the Municipal Council, the Division of Cultural Affairs

On September 11, 2001, Jersey City lost 37 residents in the devastating terrorist attacks. After the towers fell across the Hudson River, the Jersey City waterfront became a staging ground for recovery and relief efforts. Today, the 9/11 monument stands directly across the river from where the World Trade Center towers once stood. The names of  the 37 residents of Jersey City are etched on the monument as a memorial

for future generations to remember with respect and honor.

“It was a tragic day in which the whole world stood still and offered prayers and condolences to the people of the United States of America,” said Mayor Healy. “Every year, Americans across the country stand united with remarkable spirit, compassion, and patriotism. September 11th is a day of reverent reflection in which we honor the victims and heroes of that day, as well as salute the many brave men and women who protect our liberties.”

The Mayor noted that contingents of Jersey City firefighters, police officers, doctors, nurses and medical technicians were among the first responders to Ground Zero. A triage center was established in Liberty State Park and New York Waterway ferried thousands of injured people and workers from the devastated area in Lower Manhattan to safety in Jersey City. The Jersey City Medical Center, Greenville Hospital, Christ Hospital, and Saint Francis Hospital were the medical facilities where most of those brought to Jersey City were treated. Local funeral homes were called upon to offer assistance with the bodies of the victims.

Since 2002, the Jersey City 9/11 Memorial Committee has observed the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist atacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the forced crash of a commercial aircraft, Flight 93, in a Pennsylvania field which had been commandeered by terrorists.

The 9/11 ceremony will feature remarks by Mayor Healy and other officials. Prayers will be offered by clergy from various religious denominations. Special songs and inspirational music will also be part of the remembrance program. Continuing a spiritual custom started in 2002, there will be the recitation of the names of the residents of Jersey City killed in the attack. The chiming of a bell will accompany each name spoken.

The commemoration will include poetry readings and a performance by award winning musician Victoria, who on September 11, 2001, was at 63 One World Trade Center Tower and survived one of the Lockhart most disastrous and heartbreaking events in our country’s history.

Following the “Reflection” 9-11 Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m., the walkway at the foot of York Street, will be dedicated in honor of Jersey City’s two fallen heroes, Spc. Marlon P. Jackson and Spc. Rafael A., who were both killed in combat. The City of Jersey City will forever remember the sacrifices Nieves, Jr. of these two brave soldiers who gave their lives in support of America during Operation Iraqi Freedom and  Operation Enduring Freedom.

Also as a symbol of American solidarity, the City of Jersey City joins the efforts of U.S. Senator Frank Launtenberg, who submitted a Senate bill requesting that at 1:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on, to the maximum extent practicable, all work and activity shall cease and shall be marked in appropriate manner, including ringing bells, blowing whistles, or sounding sirens in observance of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America by coming together as a one Nation.

“On this day, we shall join the rest of the nation in commemorating the values exemplified by the patriotism of the American people,” said Mayor Healy. “We shall honor the great sacrifices made by our first responders and our brave men and women in the United States Armed Forces who continue to protect our country at home and abroad.”

About Victoria Lockhart

Victoria Lockhart is an accomplished singer and songwriter who is said to have a voice of an angel. She completed an album, “In His Time,” which also gives an amazing recount of her 9-11 deliverance experience entitled “Testimony.”

Victoria has shared the gospel in many venues and cities across the U.S. Victoria’s music has received acclaim and recognition for her music from those in the industry. Among her many accomplishments are nominations for: “Best Female Vocalist” in the 1st Annual American Gospel Music Awards in March of 2003; on June 26, 2003 for “Outstanding Female Vocalist” by the D’Gospel Music Awards; and in November of 2004, her song “In His Time” was nominated by the 4th Annual Tiffany Gospel Awards for “Outstanding Gospel Artist Of The Year” and “Best Gospel Single Of The Year – The Wedding Anthem”. Victoria has appeared on TBN, Gospel & The Arts, BronxTalk, Good Day New York (Fox 5).

Army Spc. Marlon P. Jackson, 25, died on November 11, 2003 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Assigned to A Company, 94th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Heavy), 130th Engineer Brigade, Vilseck, Germany, Army Spc. Marlon P. Jackson died of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device exploded on a road in Tampa, Iraq.

Army Spc. Rafael A. Nieves Jr., 22, died on July 10, 2011 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Assigned to 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky., Army Spc. Rafael A. Nieves Jr. died in Paktika province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fires.

U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and his colleagues from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Virginia introduced a resolution that calls on Americans to come together as a nation for a Moment of Remembrance at 1 p.m. EDT on September 11, 2011, the 10th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, marked by a minute of reflection and ringing of bells and sounding of sirens across the country.

U.S. Senate approved legislation that asks all Americans to stop and remember during a national Moment of Remembrance on September 11 which will occur at the same time across the country: 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, noon Central Daylight Time, 11 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time and 10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time.

Local, state, and national institutions — including state and local governments, military and veterans’ organizations, the news media, houses of worship and sports teams — have been called upon to mark this minute with bells or sirens to honor the victims.

U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, on his blog said “This will be a striking symbol of American solidarity, gnaling to the world that we remain united against those who threaten our freedom. It will also be a powerful,

nationwide expression of America’s patriotic spirit — and our refusal to forget the thousands of innocent lives

we lost in the destruction of 9/11…Make no mistake: 9/11 changed our country forever, and a tragedy of this

magnitude requires every American to stop and remember — and show the world how strong we are when we

stand together.”

The post Jersey City to Observe the 10th Anniversary of the Attack on America first appeared on River View Observer.

On the morning of the 9/11 attack, Jersey City photographer Sandra Swieder grabbed her camera and notebook and headed to the waterfront where she captured the heroic rescue and recovery efforts of firefighters, police officers, doctors, nurses, EMTs and other volunteers. In the days and months that followed, Swieder continued to photograph and collect stories from survivors, witnesses and emergency responders this side of the Hudson.

 On Sept. 1 and running through Sept. 15, Art House Productions, a non-profit organization committed to the development and presentation of performing and visual arts in Jersey City presents “From Across the River,” a photography exhibition by Swieder that captures the events of September 11th from the New Jersey perspective.

 “With the tenth anniversary coming up, we thought it was a very important story to tell,” Arthouse Productions’ Executive Director Christine Goodman says. “Some people say ‘who wants to relive these images? But Sandra’s photographs have hope, too. What Sandra’s done is document the people and their stories and the real strength of the everyday individuals who rose up that day.”

On the morning of September 11, 2001, after the attacks on the World Trade Center, Hudson County’s waterfront became the hub for emergency personnel, volunteers and over 200,000 survivors who were ferried from lower Manhattan to the Jersey waterfront. When they arrived on the Jersey side – in Hoboken and Jersey City – thousands were decontaminated and triaged, some were hospitalized and given shelter.

That waterfront triage in Jersey City became a five-block radius of emergency personnel, volunteers and family members and the staging area at Exchange Place turned into a lifeline to “Ground Zero.” Swieder, with her camera and notebook, documented the events. She established relationships with key emergency personnel, collected their stories and created a historical record of images and personal accounts and put it all together in “From Across the River.” The exhibit consists of photography and interviews of First Responders, with approximately thirty images ranging from 11×14 to 6 ft. Images have been produced on a number of different mediums such as Plexiglas, canvas and photographic paper. The exhibition will also include a memorial sculpture of reclaimed steel from Ground Zero by artist Matt Johnson.

“It is extremely important to preserve the history of events that transpired on the Jersey side,” Swieder says. “This project illustrates what took place along the Hudson River and how New Jersey responded to the immediate needs of lower Manhattan that Tuesday morning and in the days, weeks and months following.”

Goodman says “From Across the River,” is a powerful exhibition but absolutely essential to our culture and history.

 “It’s preserving the history of what happened on the Hudson River that day and how our New Jersey community came together with New York,” Goodman says, “and how our emergency responders, our citizens, police officers, firefighters and everyday people rose up in this time of need. The work is powerful. It’s preserving our history and honoring these people. Sandra’s work is about healing and community.”

 Funding for “From Across the River” is by Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise, the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Hudson County Office of Cultural Affairs & Heritage/Tourism Development.  The exhibit will be up for two weeks at Arthouse Productions and then moved to the Brennan Courthouse where it will be installed for the public to view in the Theodore Conrad Rotunda from Sept. 22 through Oct.14.

 .”It’s not only about us, it’s much bigger,” Swieder says. “My intentions are for it to travel. I think people really need to understand what happened that day. My energies are positive. I’m a single mom with a three year-old. How do I tell the future generations what happened that day? What images do they have of the firemen, the twisted metal and the dust-covered buildings? This is a different perspective. I tried to capture the beauty and the unity of the people that day. Maybe this can bring some closure, some healing. People can look at the worst day of American history in a different light.”

Now to Sept.15th

From Across the River

Art House Productions
One McWilliams Place
(Housed in the former St. Francis Hospital Building, SE corner of Hamilton Park)
Jersey City, NJ

For more info or to schedule a viewing appointment, call (201) 915-9911 or email info@arthouseproductions.org.
Opening reception: Thurs, Sept 1, 7-10 p.m. 

Gallery Open:  Sept. 9^th, 7-9 p.m.

Closing reception: Sept 15, 7-9 p.m.

Additional viewings by appointment; to schedule a visit call 201-915-911

 

Special Anniversary Gallery Openings
Sat. and Sun, Sept. 10 and 11, 12-6 p.m.

The post From Across the River: Images and Reflections of September 11th from the Jersey Side first appeared on River View Observer.