By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
MONTGOMERY The township began its commemoration of the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with a special monument dedication ceremony on Sunday.
Residents, firefighters and various public safety officials gathered that afternoon at the Volunteer Fire Co. No. 2 firehouse to watch Station 46 present the town with its completed 9/11 Memorial.
About 30 members in crisp blue uniforms encircled the finished monument, which sat in the center of a brick circular platform. A piece of steel from the fallen World Trade Center topped the edifice and emblazoned on the front was ‘343’ the number of firefighters who lost their lives that day.
”The 9/11 Memorial serves as a reminder to all of us about the dedication of the firefighters throughout the world who help protect life and property for the people of communities,” said Bill Ballinger, the chief of Station 46.
Montgomery’s new memorial was hand built and designed by Station 46’s firefighters a yearlong endeavor that included contributions from various organizations.
Chief Ballinger said that once they got the piece of steel from New York, his crew was able to clear the brush and trees and put the whole thing together in a matter of four months.
Mayor Ed Trzaska described the memorial as “moving” and thanked Fire 46 for their hard work.’
”It’s important that we never forget 9/11 the day, its aftermath and the people that were directly impacted by these events,” said Mayor Trzaska. “This monument will serve our community as a place of reflection and remembrance.”
People from all over town took the time to recognize the hard work of their firefighters and honor the thousands of lives lost that day 11 years ago.
”It’s nice for a small town, which might not have been impacted as much, to have this memorial as a reminder to let us never forget,” said resident Eileen Motherway.
For Andrea Bradley, it was important to have the memorial in a world where people are caught up in their busy lives because it caused them to stop and reflect.
”I always see it as I drive home it always catches my breath,” she said.
The Station 46 members also built two benches and included lights in the memorial that shine at night so folks are able to see it after dark whether driving by or stopping to reflect.
For the fire crew, the memorial is particularly special as it functions to not only make them honor their fallen brothers, but to appreciate life every day.
”It’s put in a spot where every time the firefighters go out they’ll see it,” said Chief Ballinger. “It’s supposed to serve as a reminder that when we go out, it may be the last time we get to go.”

