LEWES, Del. - The Whitford's front yard on Minos Conway Road is a 9/11 Memorial. It honors all of the heroes who served that day, including their son, Mark, who was driving Fire Department of New York‘s Engine 23. A metal plate from the Twin Towers represents all lives lost that day.
"He drove the truck to the Trade Center," says Carol Whitford. "He doesn't usually drive it. He usually stays with the truck, but this he knew he wasn't going to stay with the truck and he went in and that's how we lost him. He was in the south tower."
Every year the family puts up a tent and chairs for the community to share their stories of 9/11 and join them in remembering the thousands of lives lost. Patriotic songs are played and the Lewes Fire Department brings its trucks.
"It was a major terrorist attack that happened in this country and we want to keep the memory alive," says Roger Whitford. "If you notice the flags say 'never forget' and that's what we want to do, never forget."
Mark's brother Chris says, "One of the first things we realized when we moved to Sussex County was that there were no memorials that people could go to. It was very important to my family to create this so that the residents of Sussex County have a place to go."
The Whitford's memorial is a nationally recognized 9/11 memorial year-round.
The Whitford’s say the ceremony lasts a couple of hours and that they’re planning an even bigger one for the 20th anniversary of 9/11 next year.