Delivered at Mt Mitchill, Atlantic Highlands, September 11, 2020
Congressman Chris Smith
Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing when terrorists hijacked four airliners in order to commit the worst act of terrorism in American history.
Nearly 700 New Jerseyans—147 from Monmouth County alone—lost their lives that day.
No one remembers the shock, horror and numbing sorrow more, however, than the families and close friends of the victims.
Middletown Mayor Tony Perry sent off a scathing letter to Alice M. Greenwald, President of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, condemning the decision to not light the Twin Beams Tribute to the victims and heroes of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States of America. Perry offered to host the tribute in Middletown.
Thirty-seven residents of Middletown died in the World Trade Center on 9/11.
Union Beach will shine light beams from their waterfront on September 11 and 12 from 7 p.m. till 10 p.m., Councilman Al Lewandowski announced on facebook.
The Twin Beams at Ground Zero will not be lit this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lewandowski said that particulars will be announced on Weds, August 19 following the Borough Council meeting on Tues, the 18th.
Middletown Deputy Mayor Tony Fiore responded to the news that the Twin Beams represented the World Trade Center will not be lit this year in remembrance of those we lost on September 11, 2001, due to COVID-19 public health concerns, by promising that Middletown’s annual remembrance will go on.
Part of me would like to forget September 11, 2001.
It was a horrible day, parts of which I can remember like it happened last week. The phone call from my assistant asking if I’d heard about the plane crashing into the World Trade Center. The meeting where we didn’t discuss our work but were listening to the radio reports of the incident when the second plane hit. The horror when we realized that our country was under attack. The tearful phone call from my father who feared for a family member who worked in downtown Manhattan. The crowd that gathered in my Highlands backyard watching the smoke in the distance and the ferry boats docking with soot covered strangers. Phones stopped working. Sending my employees home early. The look on my wife’s face. Read the rest of this entry »
Over the weekend, Americans all over our great country gathered at memorials and events to remember the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against our nation. We honored the innocent lives lost, along with the fearless display of heroism by first responders and citizens who responded to the unfolding tragedy. In all, nearly 3,000 people died as a result of the attacks that day – they were family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors.
FREEHOLD – Small town America showed how big and magnificent it really is as the borough of Freehold’s Human Relations Committee conducted its Sept. 11 Remembrance ceremony at borough hall Sunday evening.
More than 500 participants and spectators filled the chairs and spilled out into Main Street, which the Mayor and Council had closed to vehicular traffic for the event to hear and see people of all ages participate in the program honoring the 147 residents of Monmouth County who lost their lives in the attacks 15 years ago.
Jane Fields chaired the event for the Committee, assisted by cochairman Gianna Dell’Omo.
ATL. HIGHLANDS – “We are still a nation of promise and possibilities and I am confident this will always be true,” concluded Freeholder Lillian Burry as she opened the commemorative ceremonies recalling the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
More than 300 persons were at Mount Mitchill at 8 a.m. Sunday morning to honor the memory of those who lost their lives and the heroes who saved so many more lives when two planes ripped into the World Trade Center and collapsed both buildings, while another plane crashed into the Pentagon and a fourth was averted from further terrorism because of quick action by heroes aboard the flight.
As in past years, Burry, welcomed the crowd and gave initial remarks before introducing Freeholder Director Tom Arnone who spoke on the tragedies as a part of history and urged all Americans to “Remember…Never Forget.”
Monmouth County Sheriff’s Patrol At Seastreak’s Highlands Terminal. file photo
The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office is on heightened alert for the 14th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorists attacks, according to a statement issued by Sheriff Shaun Golden.
“September 11th is a day of remembrance and reflection for our country,” Golden. “As always, our Law Enforcement Division will be working closely with local law enforcement agencies to take whatever steps are required to ensure the safety and security of the people who live and work in Monmouth County, as well as those who may be visiting.”
In addition to their routine security checks, sheriff’s officers will be assisting local police patrols at ferry terminals and transportation hubs.
K-9 teams will be sweeping ferry terminals and train stations, as well as major 9/11 remembrance observances, as requested. Sheriff’s Marine #1 will be out patrolling the waterways and conducting homeland security checks throughout the day.
