Rhode Islanders gathered on Monday at the 9/11 memorial park in Oakland Beach to remember the lives lost in the deadliest terrorist attack in American history.

The annual event, set up by state Representative Camille Vella-Wilkinson, marked the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Eight Rhode Islanders died in the 9/11 attacks, including three from Warwick- Carol Bouchard, Mark Charette and Renee Newell.

Newell’s brother, Richard DelleFemine Sr., was in attendance, and said that the significance of his role and the role of survivors grows with every passing year, despite how tough it is for them.

“It’s important to be able to pass on firsthand knowledge and experiences, to help children understand,” DelleFemine said.

Former Warwick School Committee chair Judy Cobden, who was at Ground Zero and survived the attacks, said that the day for her was one that would haunt her forever.

“I walked seven miles home to Park Slope, Brooklyn, confused, scared and honestly in a daze,” Cobden said. “Once I saw my front door from across the street, I collapsed on the ground and cried. I couldn’t believe I was actually at my house.”

Cobden expressed her gratitude for the first responders who helped her and others escape to safety, as well as those who lost their lives responding to the attacks.

The chair of the School Committee at the time of the attack, Mayor Frank Picozzi, said that Sept. 11, 2001 stands out forever in his mind alongside few other days. However, 9/11 was different from even those.

“In the case of September 11th, I don’t just remember that one day, but the days that followed,” Picozzi said. “I remember seeing everyone’s fear, anger, shock, and grief. But what I remember most was the great swell of patriotism that spread across this country.”

Sal Caiozzo, the commander of the Kent County Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 9, spoke about the PACT Act, which he helped  co-author.

The PACT Act, signed into law by President Biden last year, provides healthcare aid to service members who were exposed to burn pits. However, the act does not extend to service members who were exposed to toxic materials at 9/11, something which Caiozzo is looking to add.

“Unfortunately, to this day, we still have issues of people being sick- not just out of the service members but our citizen community,” Caiozzo said.

According to City Council member Donna Travis, flowers and flags at the 9/11 Memorial Garden had recently been stolen, in a repeat of an incident that happened the previous year.

“I don’t know who would be so heartless as to steal from a memorial, but let’s keep it in our prayers that this stays up longer,” Travis said. Theft of the flowers troubles Tom Isacco, who worked to build the memorial park with Larry Andrews, many years ago. Isacco, member of his family and friends continue to care for the park until this day.

The memorial was flanked by police and fire honor guards, as well as a bagpiper.

“We remember those we lost, especially the courageous men and women , our brothers and sisters in uniform, who rushed without hesitation to save others  and gave of themselves in full measure,” . Father Robert Marciano president of Bishop Hendricken High School and chaplain of the police and fire departments, said in his invocation.

The event served as a reminder to many. In her remarks retired Lieutenant Colonel Jeanine Vachon,  noted that while 22 years have passed since the attacks, Sept. 11, 2001 is a date that has impacted the United States ever since.

“There are no words left to say about this tragic event,” Vachon said. “The nation changed forever on September 11, 2001.”