by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
As the seventh anniversary of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks approach, the township is still seeking donations for its Sept. 11 memorial.
The memorial, which features paving stones, three park benches, a fountain and a garden, sits in front of the Municipal Building on Ridge Road in Monmouth Junction. The fountain exists as three separate granite blocks that are placed near each other, but do not connect. It was designed by Amado Batour, of Somerset, and chosen from among 28 artists’ submissions for the site in 2004.
The blocks are meant to symbolize the three South Brunswick victims of the attack, Kenneth Ledee, of Monmouth Junction; Toyena Skinner, of Kingston; and Mukul Agarwala, of Kendall Park, who did not know each other but shared the same fate that day. Water flows through the granite and collects in a reflecting pool at the base of the memorial.
The township has collected about $80,000 for the memorial since work first began in 2004, however about half of the paving stones are still available for dedication, as well as one of the park benches, said Ron Schmalz, township spokesman.
The site was dedicated in 2005.
”We just want to remind everyone that there is still plenty of room available at the memorial,” Mr. Schmalz said. “It’s a symbol of the community rallying to support the victims of 9/11.”
Each paving stone costs $100 and will be placed on the Walkway of Honor. Each brick can have three lines of text printed on it with up to 13 characters on each line, for purchasers to leave a message or honor a loved one. Mr. Schmalz said that $25 of the cost goes toward the purchase of the brick, while the remaining amount is kept for maintenance of the site. He said that work to fix cement and stone work around the fountain has already been necessary.
The last remaining bench can also be purchased for $25,000.The sale of the two other benches, including one to Monmouth Mobil Home Park owner Art Roedel, has raised $50,000 for the site, more than half of the total money raised.
The town will hold an event at the site to mark Sept. 11. It will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Those interested in donating to the site can do so by contacting Mr. Schmalz at 732-329-4000, ext. 7275 or by e-mail at [email protected].