By Jenine Clancy, Special Writer
MONROE — Members of the Township Council, the town’s firefighters, police, EMS and residents gathered at Memorial Tree Park to honor those who lost their lives on Sept. 11 2001.
The ceremony, located at the corner of Half Acre Road and Prospect Plains Road, opened with the Monroe Township Choir singing "The Star-Spangled Banner," with Veterans from the Central Jersey Post 522 holding the American flag.
"It is my privilege to stand with you today to remember what has past, and to look forward to the future on this 13th anniversary of 9/11," Council President Gerald Tamburro said to the 50 people who were in attendance.
The council president said they chose to have the memorial starting at 9:30 a.m., as the events of the attacks happened in the morning hours.
"On a day like today, when we are asked to say a few words, there are really no words to express what memories I have of this day, but (thoughts) of our whole country," said Vice President Leslie Koppel who gave some brief remarks. "When we use the words ’we will never forget’ that is what we mean. And to never forget the heroes we lost that day."
Vice President Koppel, Council President Tamburro and Councilwoman Betty Schneider then hung a white memorial wreath in front of the stone memorial, dedicated in 2002, which bears the names of Monroe Township family members that were touched by the tragedy.
Rabbi Ben Levi from the Monroe Synagogue then gave a brief prayer, followed by a moment of silence for all those who were lost.
Honor guards from Monroe Fire District Number 3 rang the commemorative bell for all 14 Monroe Residents who lost their lives that day.
"May we remember that day and instill in us to stand against terrorism and grieve with those who still mourn," Chaplain of All Three Monroe Fire Districts Bill Gardner said. "To remember those who responded and those who helped others, as we stood with strangers who became neighbors that day. We give thanks for their hospitality and to be a good Samaritan."
Artifacts from the twin towers were laid out, including a steel piece from one of the towers.
"We come here to honor those people who lost their lives…one of them was my nephew, he only worked for two weeks and he was gone and had just changed jobs," said 83-year-old Monroe Resident Catherine McKernan. "I was watching TV and I saw those buildings go down …it was horrible , such an earth shaking thing to see and I hope it never happens again.
State Sen. Linda Greenstein from the 14th legislative district was also in attendance.
"I’ve been to the Monroe Ceremonies every year, and I find it extremely moving, and it brings me in the right frame of mind to remember everything that happened," Sen. Greenstein said. "I think Monroe had the greatest memorial because you feel like you have re-entered that period of time. You are walking out of this feeling productive because you feel like you are ready to face the problems you have to face"
"In trying to those problems we have to combine that with memory of what we have been through on 9/11 and come to terms of what this country has been through is one of its most bleakest moments . As years go on what will be left are these memorials . It still moves me a lot," she said.

