Never Forget
For the 22nd year, the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners and Monmouth County Board of Recreation Commissioners honored the 147 residents of Monmouth County who lost their lives in the September 11, with a moving ceremony on Mount Mitchill in Atlantic Highlands.
The site, where a monument which includes a piece of steel from the fallen World Trade Center held in the talons of an eagle was where hundreds of Monmouth County residents gathered September 11, 2021 for the horrific view across Sandy Hook Bay into the tragedies that struck Manhattan.
Monmouth County has dedicated Mount Mitchill and its county park as a lasting memorial to the 9-11 attack on the United States.
With a bagpipe interlude by the Pipes and Drums of the Atlantic Watch, and an honor guard of Monmouth County Sheriff’s Officers, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden led the crowd gathered yesterday morning in a Pledge of Allegiance.
Julia Santiago gave a stirring and emotional rendition of the National Anthem.
In his invocation, the Reverend Ronald Sparks of Bethel AME Church in Freehold, prayed to “let us all remember what it is to be an American,” and explained that that means loving each other and being kind.
Commission Deputy Director Ross Licitra introduced members of the state legislature as well as local municipal leaders recalling it has been 8401 days since the 9/11 tragedy.
He noted the red and white carnations which each of the leaders as well as all those in attendance at the ceremony could place on the Memorial inscribed with the names of Monmouth County’s fallen residents after the ceremony.
He explained ancient Roman and Greek beliefs and traditions that red represents recall of the deceased and white is both innocence and support for those grieving.
Commission Director Tom Arnone noted this is his 15th year as a county leader honoring Monmouth County’s deceased from the September 11 attack and reminded the crowd they all still must make certain to remember the tragedy and the families affected by it.
Arnone said it was at the urging of the county commissioners that the day has been set aside as an official day of remembrance not only at the County level where offices are closed but also in numerous municipalities across Monmouth County, including Atlantic Highlands, and several other Bayshore towns, the first county in the state to officially recognize and commemorate the 9/11 attack.
Members of the Parks Commission somberly read each of the names of the 147 Monmouth Countians killed at the World Trade Center, and county officials rang the bells and commemorated the six hours and seconds from the time of the first attack at 9:03 a.m.. through 10:29 a.m. when the north tower fell, followed by a moment of silence.
Knights of the Reverend Joseph Donnelly Council 11660 of Our Lady of Perpetual Help St Agnes parish and the 4th degree Knights Color Corps placed a wreath of flowers on the memorial in a ceremonial presentation. That preceded the playing of taps and final benediction for the ceremony.
In his benediction, Reverend Sparks urged all to continue to heal wounds of grief and pain and continue to be ambassadors or reconciliation for all those affected by the attack 23 years ago.
Following the ceremony county commissioners met with the contingent of sailors from the USS New Jersey (SSN-796), the submarine at the Naval Weapons Station pier in Leonardo that will be commissioned Saturday.
