Sussex Elks remember 9/11

SUSSEX BOROUGH — Sept. 11 isn't just a day to remember those lost at the World Trade Center.

For the Sussex Elks Lodge No. 2288, it's a day to give back.

High Point High senior Teresa Toriello opened the 9/11 ceremony at the lodge Thursday night by singing the national anthem in front of the more than 25 people who attended.

"Although this is typically a district-run event, this year, the Northwest N.J. District No. 5680 instead held a memorial and dedication ceremony for a district member not from this lodge that passed away, so a few of the lodges picked up the 9/11 memorial tradition,” said Inner Guard Ashley Green.

Songwriter and guitarist Tom Gomez of Sandyston from the band R.E.N.O. (Really Enjoyable Necessary Opportunities) presented an original piece entitled, "Flag of Heroes." Gomez, a 6-year Elk, has been performing with R.E.N.O. and its four other members — songwriter and guitarist Bob Peters, bass guitarist Bill Gehringer, instrumentalist Tom Marchase and drummer John Meyer — for more than eight years.

“R.E.N.O. does about 70 benefits a year, and we’ve never kept one penny,” Gomez said.

The band, recently having performed its 101st veterans benefit and 350th benefit overall, has helped raise more than $900,000 for charity.

“I always say we live in the strongest country with the nicest people in the world, and it’s true," Gomez said. "I think that’s reflected on a day like 9/11, where each year, remembrance for those lost should expand. After all, the same feelings exist.”

Fred Spages of Newton, a Former Elks Exalted Ruler, served during the Vietnam War from 1962-66 in the Air Force. Besides participating in the 9/11 ceremony at the Elks Lodge, Spages spent the day honoring those perished on 9/11 by helping out a fellow veteran in need.

George Alakpa, wounded twice on two different service tours, became a U.S. citizen in 1998.

“[Alakpa] is someone who can really appreciate the freedoms we have in America," he said. "Born in Nigeria, he fled the country from terrorists.”

According to Spages, it was the terrorist attack on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, that motivated Alakpa to join the military and “fight the bad guys.” But Alakpa was hit by an improvised explosive Device and now lives with permanent disabilities.

Alakpa’s apartment suffered water damage twice, “once from a roof leak and the other from a broken pipe,” Spages explains. The second time, his apartment flooded after losing a premature child. “Since then, he’s hit one stone wall after another. He’s been declared 80% disabled and cannot earn a living.”

A dinner fundraiser was held for Alakpa in June at the Sussex Elks Lodge #2288, where the Elks donated the use of the hall free of charge.

For the past several months, Spages participated in raising around $12,000 for Alakpa with help from the Elks and neighboring veterans associations. He also helped get a $25,000 Home Depot donation approved to go towards a complete refurbishment of Alakpa’s home.