The city of Atlantic City honored a local hero during an emotional ceremony at Jackson Avenue and the Boardwalk on Friday, July 12, 2002, when a bench, memorial plaque and flagpole were dedicated in the memory of former Atlantic City resident and airline captain, Victor J. Saracini.

Saracini, who was a graduate of Atlantic City High School and a
20-year veteran aviator, was the pilot on the ill-fated United
Airlines Flight #175 that was hijacked and subsequently flown into
the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

"This is a fitting tribute that provides family members with a moment of peace, which is so valuable," New Jersey state Senator William Gormley said. "This gesture makes the grief a little bit less."

Saracini's widow, Ellen, mother, Ann, children and many other longtime friends and close relatives were on hand for this touching event on a beautifully sunny and warm summer afternoon. Atlantic City Mayor Lorenzo Langford reiterated that Saracini "was a great man who meant something to us all."

5th Ward Councilman Dennis Mason created Council Resolution 584, which was formally adopted by City Council on Wednesday, July 10, and honors the memory of Saracini. 4th Ward Councilman William "Speedy" Marsh read the framed resolution to the crowd before permanently handing it over to the family. The memorial's bench and flagpole were donated by the Special Improvement District..

Atlantic City Fire Station Number One (below), located at Maryland and Atlantic avenues, was dedicated and renamed the Chief John R. Jasper, Jr. Fire Station in memory of the former fire chief during a ceremony on Friday, July 12, 2002.

Jasper, Jr., who originally joined the fire department on April 16, 1956, and served for 31 years before passing away on November 30, 2001, was the first African American fire chief in Atlantic City. Jasper, Jr. was promoted to captain in 1967, battalion chief in 1974, deputy chief in 1976, acting fire chief in 1979, fire chief in 1984 and director of Fire Department in 1985 before officially retiring on January 1, 1987.

A memorial plaque in Jasper's name is now on the wall near the steps leading into the station (above left).