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Lira's mother, Peruvian immigrant Marina Arevalo, sat alongside family members in the front row.
“Every year it's important," said a cousin, Juan Perez of Clifton. "We like to come down as a show of support from the family that we appreciate everything the city is doing for us."
At the same time, he added, "Every year it's harder for my wife. She was raised with Kenny as like his sister. He’s the godfather of my daughter.”
Grey clouds hung low overhead and an autumn wind blew as members of the community stepped to the podium at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Memorial Drive to pray, observe moments of silence and recall where they were that fateful day.
The two-hour service also included amateur poetry, a capella song and numerous references to the will of God.
"We were mortally wounded but learned to walk again," Mayor Jose Torres said. "We're learning from the experience of loss."
The ceremony ended with the laying of a memorial wreath for Lira, who was 28.
Those gathered then sang “God Bless America” as Lira’s mother sat with roses in hand, mouthing the lyrics: “...my home sweet home.”
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