Haddonfield Church Bells Peal for 9/11 Victims

Ten years ago, 3-year-old Sean Ilves came to Haddonfield for a bell ringing ceremony in honor of Sept. 11 victims. The toddler climbed with his family into the church’s bell tower and pulled a bell that rang out over the borough.

Sunday, Sean returned to the church as a 13-year-old to participate in the ceremony—just as he’s done every year since 2001.

Sean, sister Mallory and parents Rhonda and Jan Ilves were part of several dozen Haddonfield residents who rang the church bells for 9/11 victims.

For each name read from the bell tower, and broadcast by speaker to the street below, a church bell pealed—nearly 3,000 times.

Sean says he remembers that first ceremony, and feels compelled to return each year.

“It’s important to give respect to the people we lost,” he said.

Mallory, 14, has spent a lot of time thinking about those aboard Flight 93, whose passengers thwarted the hijackers’ plan to crash the plane, possibly into a Washington, D.C., target. She echoed Sean’s sentiments—participating in the bell ringing helps her honor those who died on 9/11.

Mom Rhonda said it’s important for her family to remember the terror attacks’ victims.

“When we remember them, we respect the heroes of that day, and the people who have the courage to keep the U.S. strong,” she said.

Joining the Ilves family were Haddonfielders from all walks of life. Young children stood with their parents. Many seniors made the climb into the bell tower as well. Some gave the bell ropes a gentle tug for a soft, mournful sounding ring; others yanked the rope with force, punctuating each name with a sharp bell toll.

As the names and bells rang out over Kings Highway, several passersby looked up at the stone church before entering to also participate in the ceremony.