Ceremony Honoring Sept. 11th Victims, Police and Volunteers at St. Mary's on Sunday

St. Mary's by the Sea Episcopal Church honored police, fire, first aid squad and military service members, and memorialized those lost on Sept. 11th, in a 10 a.m. Sunday service.

, incorporated the ceremony into the middle of its regular 10 a.m. liturgy on Sunday, the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11th, said the Rev. Maria Sanzo on Thursday.

"This is a memorial, but also a service of gratitude for those who are serving our community," said Sanzo, the church's assistant rector.

"The 10th anniversary of Sept. 11 makes us more acutely aware of what they do," she noted. "Even though we don't usually have that kind of devastation, to that level, we're grateful they are there to respond to our needs both large and small."

The Rev. C. John Thompson-Quartey, the church rector, was to bless the representatives from each of the emergency services divisions and the armed services and make a presentation to each of them.

The presentation was to include "a religious medal and a prayer card to recognize them for their service to the community and country and to extend our gratitude," Sanzo said.

Sanzo said a representative from the Army was to attend, and she was hoping representatives from the Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard would also accept the church's invitation and send a representative.

The public was welcome to attend.