MANALAPAN — Three of the thousands of people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, will be remembered at the 14th annual Walk with Joe on Sept. 12.
Michele Cleary, a spokeswoman for the event, said the memorial 5-kilometer walk has been held every year since 2002. She said the event is dedicated to the memory of Patrick “Joe” Driscoll, Christopher Gray and Thomas McCann.
The Walk with Joe will be held at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Route 33, Manalapan. A ceremony honoring the heroes of Sept. 11 will precede the 10 a.m. walk through the state park.
“It is a really nice community day and it is a good day of remembrance for the family members and everyone else who is a part of it,” Cleary said.
Driscoll was a passenger aboard United Airlines Flight 93 on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. The passengers are remembered and honored for fighting back against the terrorists who were believed to be flying the hijacked plane toward a target in Washington, D.C.
Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, Pa., following the passengers’ rebellion, killing all aboard.
Gray worked for Cantor Fitzgerald at the World Trade Center in New York City and was killed at that location, and McCann lost his life responding to the scene of the attacks while working for the Fire Department of New York.
According to a prior Greater Media Newspapers article, Driscoll resided in Manalapan for 40 years and was a member of the Yorktowne Club social organization in Manalapan. He was a youth sports coach in the community.
Gray was born and raised in Manalapan and became a foreign exchange trader at Cantor Fitzgerald. The Manalapan High School graduate quarterbacked the Braves and earned a football scholarship to West Virginia University.
McCann, of Manalapan, was a 23-year veteran of the FDNY who was expecting to retire in 2002, according to the article. He was a member of Engine Company 65 and was among the first to respond to the World Trade Center on the morning of Sept. 11.
George McCann, the brother of Thomas McCann, said it is a great honor knowing the community and the Walk with Joe organization continue to provide their support.
“It keeps the memory and spirit alive to all of the family members and friends of Tom,” McCann said. “It makes for a very joyful day on a sad remembrance.”
Jim Gray, the father of Christopher Gray, said the Walk with Joe is special for everybody who lost a loved one on Sept 11.
“It shows a great solidarity for everyone to join together and remember the lives of our loved ones,” Gray said. “It is a great community effort and we are very appreciative of all of the support.”
Cleary said all of the proceeds collected from the walk, including money raised from participants and sponsors, are donated to local charities. She said a committee of about 30 people organize the Walk with Joe.
“It is very rewarding to be a part of it,” she said.
For more information, visit the website http://www.walkwithjoe.com/