9/11 monument in Sept.
By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
MANALAPAN — With an expected dedication date of Sept. 6 for a Sept. 11 memorial, the Manalapan Township PBA 9/11 Memorial Fund will publish a commemorative advertisement journal in conjunction with the ceremony.
"Our intent is to have the 9/11 memorial installed and dedicated before the second anniversary date" of the terrorist attacks, said Manalapan Police Department Detective Joseph Moreto.
The township’s memorial will be constructed in the municipal arboretum in front of town hall, Route 522 and Taylors Mills Road.
The World Trade Center’s twin towers, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93 will be commemorated by the monument. Manalapan residents killed in the attacks will be honored.
"We decided as a PBA that we wanted to do something that would bring some peace and comfort to the widows, the families and the friends of those residents who died on Sept. 11," said Detective Samuel Britton, president of Manalapan Township PBA No. 229.
As the project will soon become a reality, additional funds are needed so that the memorial will be totally paid for prior to its dedication.
"Basically, businesses, residents in town, or anyone for that matter, will be able to donate money by purchasing an advertisement in the 9/11 memorial ad journal," said Britton. "There are many options available."
Moreto said the ad journal will offer options ranging from $50 to $500.
"Ads can be placed in the journal and [the donor] can be part of the memorial dedication," Britton said.
Donations collected from the journal will go toward paying for the memorial. To date, Moreto said, more than $115,000 has been raised.
"The ad journal has just gotten off the ground," he said. "We’ve gotten a few ads that have come in already and I’m sure other businesses and residents will want to purchase an advertisement."
Moreto said the initial estimate for the memorial was $107,000. The final cost is expected to be between $135,000 and $140,000. Preliminary work has begun at the arboretum to prepare the location where the memorial will sit.
According to Britton and Moreto, Sand S Monuments, Parlin, will be supplying the granite foundations, the fountain will be obtained from The Fountain People, and general construction will be performed by A-Top, a firm with offices in the township. National Pavers will be installing the interlocking pavers.
Anyone wishing to make a donation by purchasing an advertisement in the ad journal can make a check payable to Manalapan Township PBA 9/11 Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 72, Tennent 07763. For all inquiries regarding the ad journal, contact Barbara Miller at (732) 786-9077 or send an e-mail to Manalapanwtcfund@aol.com.