By vincent todaro
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK — Township officials will mark the one-year anniversary of Sept. 11 with the unveiling of a new memorial monument at 7:30 p.m., followed by a candlelight vigil at 8 p.m.
The hour-long ceremony will culminate with the performance of "American Pride," a song co-written specifically for the event by East Brunswick resident Nicholas Clemente.
The monument, designed by local sculptor Blaise Batko, is located at the municipal complex adjacent to the pond and near the gazebo.
Jersey City resident Lauren Gibbs will perform "American Pride," which she co-wrote with Marc Hoffman and Clemente, according to Karen Cook, a public relations representative of the three musicians.
The song is described as an upbeat, pop-rock tune with sing-along lyrics.
"It’s a complete do-it-yourself project, and we’re excited about the enthusiastic response we’ve been receiving," said Gibbs, who will sing and play keyboards to a background music track.
The candlelight vigil will begin at 8 p.m., and will be followed by music from the East Brunswick High School band and chorus.
In addition, members from the clergy will speak, according to Jacqueline Eaker, special assistant to Mayor William Neary.
Although the monument, which will be known as the East Brunswick Victims Memorial Monument, is meant specifically to honor the eight East Brunswick residents who perished in the terrorist attacks, the vigil and ceremony are being held in the memory of all victims of Sept. 11, Eaker said.
The event is expected to draw well over 1,000 people, and some of the local families who lost loved ones at the World Trade Center have said they will attend, she said.
"It’s to be determined if any of the family members will speak," Eaker said. "They’re all deciding to what extent (they will be involved)."
The event, to be held rain or shine, is being organized by both township officials and some of the affected families, she said.
Gibbs, a professional singer and songwriter who has done session work for Lou Reed, said she could see the collapse of the twin towers from her residence in Jersey City.
"I watched the whole thing happen that day from right in front of my building," she said.
The song came a few days later, she said, when Clemente found a cassette tape of a song Gibbs had written years before.
"He was inspired to write new lyrics with a patriotic theme," she said. "And later, when my longtime co-writer and producer Marc Hoffman and I entertained rescue workers at Ground Zero, we knew we had to produce the record and make it available to the listening public."

