City of Somerville public officials, first responders, and members of the public gathered on Friday, September 11, to remember and honor those lost in the 9/11 attacks. ~Photos courtesy of City’s Public Liaison, Jesse Moos.

By Christa Lee

On Friday, September 11, the City of Somerville held a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony in Davis Square. Among the organizers is Jerome Thomas, a Marine for eight years and Director of the Veterans’ Services Department for the last three years. Veterans’ Services worked with Mayor Wilson’s office, the city police department, and the city fire department to organize this event, and members from each department or office were present at the ceremony.

“I was just recently out of the military right before 9/11 took place,” said Thomas. “A lot of emotions were stirring up in me, and I was just ready to enlist again.” Thomas did not end up enlisting again after conversations with family members, but did have connections who were still in the military and Pentagon at the time.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years from a moment that seems just seared in my memory, and I know a lot of other people feel the same way,” said Mayor Wilson. “And it really hits our first responders hard. It’s important to pay respect here to the people who we lost and to honor our first responders who do the same thing every day in terms of helping people.”

For the Director, it is a joy to serve the veteran community. “Just being able to give back to my brothers and sisters of the armed forces is an honor and pleasure to do,” said Thomas. “Unfortunately, within our veteran community, there’s a lot of information that just isn’t shared from benefits that are available or access to certain things. ”

To reach the Veterans Services department, you can walk in to their office at 167 Holland St.Ste 322B, email them at veterans@somervillema.gov, or call them at 617-625-6600 ext. 4700.