On the clear, sunny morning of Sept. 8 — a day that was eerily reminiscent of the weather on Sept. 11, 2001, when the world was changed forever by an act of terrorism — Manalapan residents, officials and family members of those lost in the terrorist attacks nine years ago stood before a twisted, rusted piece of steel from what was once the twin towers in New York City’s World Trade Center.
Lenny Don Diego, a member of the Englishtown-Manalapan First Aid Squad, touches a piece of steel from the World Trade Center, New York, that was presented to Manalapan Township officials on Sept. 8. The first aid squad volunteer is a former high school teacher in Brooklyn, N.Y., who lost 14 of his former students in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. JEFF GRANIT staff Surrounded by Manalapan’s 9/11 memorial, the guests at the municipal complex reflected on the past with somberness while looking toward the future with resolve.
Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni speaks to guests at the Manalapan 9/11 Memorial as he presents a piece of steel from the World Trade Center, New York, to the township on Sept. 8. JEFF GRANIT staff New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni presented the piece of steel to the township of Manalapan in memory of the 600 New Jerseyans who died at the World Trade Center — 147 of whom were from Monmouth County, 14 of whom were natives of Manalapan.
Manalapan Mayor Andrew Lucas and Manalapan Police Chief Stuart Brown accepted the steel on behalf of the township.
State Sen. Jennifer Beck, state Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, Monmouth County Freeholder Director Lillian Burry and Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden were also present.
Brown was instrumental in bringing the moment to fruition. Not long ago he sent a letter to Baroni requesting a piece of steel from the World Trade Center, when he heard some pieces were available.
“A lot of us worked there (after the attack) and we never will forget, never,” said Brown.
He explained that 28 officers from Manalapan went to ground zero in New York City to help search for survivors after the attack by two hijacked jetliners destroyed the twin towers.
A press release from the office of Gov. Chris Christie indicated that the 60-pound piece of steel presented to Manalapan was among the artifacts that were identified among the wreckage and preserved for their historical significance.
The steel has been stored at Hanger 17 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, N.Y., and was among pieces cataloged by a professional curator to ensure they were kept as close as possible to their original condition.
Baroni said Brown’s request and the accompanying criteria were examined and went before a federal judge who approved Manalapan to be among 12 towns in New Jersey to receive the historical pieces of steel from the World Trade Center.
The other towns are Fair Lawn, Linden, East Brunswick, Monroe Township, Hamilton, Mount Laurel, Matawan, Iselin (Woodbridge), Toms River, Vineland and Woodstown.
“We’ve had more than 1,000 requests from all across the country and all across New Jersey. The criteria that we judged those applications on included making sure that the public could be able to come and see it,” Baroni said, while noting the “beautiful park” where the guests stood.
The Manalapan World Trade Center memorial includes the names of the following Manalapan natives who died at the trade center: Daniel T. Afflitto, Louis F. Aversano Jr., Steven H. Berger, Dominick E. Calia, James V. DeBlase, Salvatore A. Fiumefreddo, Salvatore Gitto, Christopher S. Gray, Thomas McCann, Joseph B. Plumitallo, Jason David Cayne, William E. Micciulli and Joseph F. Sacerdote.
A pentagon-shaped fountain — commemorating the attack on the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C. — sits next to the World Trade Center monument. The fountain is inscribed, “For all who serve this country in the cause of liberty and freedom; in memory of those who died at the Pentagon and in honor of those who survived.”
A granite boulder in commemoration of the passengers and crew members who were aboard United Airlines Flight 93 — which crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers and crew members resisted the hijackers — sits at the northern entrance of the memorial. A plaque attached to the boulder honors Patrick “Joe” Driscoll, a longtime resident of Manalapan who was a passenger on Flight 93, which was hijacked out of Newark Liberty International Airport on Sept. 11, 2001.
Benches donated by 9/11 families surround the fountain and were “Dedicated to the people of Manalapan Township in gratitude for their support, kindness and love” and “Dedicated to the people of the United States of America in remembrance of their goodness and patriotism.”
Memorial trees and pavers around a gazebo also remember loved ones of Manalapan residents who are no longer with us.
“We want to make sure what happened on Sept. 11 is never forgotten, by placing pieces of this sacred steel throughout New Jersey and throughout the country. It’s very important to us,” Baroni said.
Baroni explained that the World Trade Center was the home to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and he said 84 employees were killed in the Sept. 11 attack, including 37 Port Authority police officers.
Guadagno explained that the piece of steel that was presented to Manalapan was from a crime scene and that is why it had to be released with the permission of a federal judge. She said people who can remember Sept. 11, 2001, will always remember and hold it in their hearts, but “the memorial and steel will tell a story to our children and our children’s children so they never forget.”
She also recognized the first responders who “ran toward the World Trade Center when we were running away” and said people should never forget those individuals. She said she wants children to understand what a huge sacrifice that really was.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the World Trade Center is rising out of the ashes,” Guadagno said of plans to build a new trade center. “We have resolve, we have strength and we will pass that on to our children.”
Beck said, “Today is all about us recalling the strength of our nation and the strength of all of those innocent folks who died of a terrorism that was nothing they invited. This is a symbol for all of us of the power of our democracy and also as a remembrance to the families and friends of the great heroes that we lost.”
Tim Duffy, a former New York City firefighter from Ladder 153 who now resides in Manalapan, was present for the ceremony. He was wearing a T-shirt that remembered his friend and fellow firefighter Stephen Siller, of Staten Island, N.Y., who was on his way to New Jersey when the attack occurred. Siller tried to get back to New York when he heard what had happened, but officials would not let his car back through the tunnel, so he ran through the tunnel to save the lives of others and was never seen again, according to Duffy.
The towers fell on Duffy while he was saving others. As he gazed upon the piece of steel from the World Trade Center, he said, “I can’t help getting goose bumps. I lost 36 friends in an hour. I’m still here and they’re not. It’s almost surreal to hear people who weren’t there talk about it so passionately, but it’s good to see people aren’t forgetting.”
Jim Gray, a former Manalapan mayor, and his wife, Janet, were present as well. Their son, Christopher, a Manalapan High School graduate, worked for Cantor Fitzgerald brokerage, whose offices were on the 101st-105th floors of One World Trade Center, and he died along with 657 co-workers that day.
Janet Gray said, “It’s very unfortunate when your son goes to work in the morning and doesn’t come home. You get numb. This brings it all back. Everyone knows where they were [that day] and you never forget. I think of Chris looking down and laughing.”
She said she has a tough time when the calendar turns to September.
“My stomach turns. It’s hard to get through this weekend (referring to weekend of Sept. 11),” she said.
Jim Gray said, “It’s an emotional time, but it makes you feel proud that the community comes together and never forgets every year as time passes. It’s a very fitting and fine memorial and I’m very appreciative. It makes you feel proud to be in Manalapan.”
Lucas said, “I think that in an event like 9/11 there is nothing more graphic than the images of the planes flying into the World Trade Center, but seeing this crumpled piece of steel, it is possible that it brings home the reality of the events that occurred.”
He said it was nice to see the survivors and family members who attended the ceremony.
Officials said it remains to be determined how and where the piece of steel from the World Trade Center will be displayed in Manalapan.