MIDDLETOWN – A silent tribute will be paid to Middletown residents who died in the World Trade Center tragedy with a wreath laying at the Middletown WTC Memorial Gardens on Friday, September 11, at 8:46 a.m. The time marks the start of the terrorist attacks 14 years ago when the first plane hit the towers.
Township Committee members as well as representatives of the Middletown Police Department, Middletown Fire Department, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2179, American Legion Post 338 and American Legion Post 515 are scheduled to participate.
“At times, silence speaks volumes,” said Mayor Stephanie C. Murray of the commemoration, which remains devoid of words. “Middletown’s 9/11 tribute enables each of us to have a private moment while still coming together to reflect on the tragedy and loss of the day.”
Visitors are welcome at the Middletown WTC Memorial Gardens from dawn to dusk. An American flag flown over the World Trade Center on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks will fly at the Memorial Gardens during the ceremony. In addition, an American flag flown over the U. S. Capitol in memory of these Middletown residents will fly at Town Hall.
The Memorial Gardens rest under a canopy of trees and feature a landscaped path with benches and a personalized memorial for each of the 37 residents. The gardens are located next to the Middletown Arts Center at 36 Church St. The gardens are open to the public daily.
Flag banners are hanging along Kings Highway, Church Street and Middletown- Lincroft Road as part of the tribute. The banners are sponsored by local businesses, organizations and individuals.
The Memorial Gardens were developed by the Middletown WTC Memorial Committee, a nonprofit consisting of family members and residents. The Memorial Gardens were opened to the public on September 11, 2003.
The gardens continue to be maintained by the Middletown WTC Memorial Committee in partnership with Middletown Township. Donations for the perpetual maintenance of the gardens are welcome and appreciated. Donations can be sent to: Middletown WTC Memorial Gardens, c/o Mayor’s Office, Middletown Township, 1 Kings Highway, Middletown, NJ 07748.
Residents honored at the Memorial Gardens are: Lorraine D. Antigua; Jane S. Beatty; Donna Bernaerts-Kearns; Alfred J. Braca; Ronald M. Breitweiser; Patrick J. Buhse; Stephen J. Cangialosi; Swede Joseph Chevalier; Dolores Marie Costa; Edward Desimone III;
Michael Egan; David Ferrugio; Daniel J. Gallagher; John M. Grazioso; Felicia Hamilton; Patrick A. Hoey; Kathleen A. Hunt Casey; Brendan Mark Lang; Roseanne P. Lang; Anna A. Laverty;
Michael Patrick McDonnell; Peter T. Milano; Louis J. Minervino; Justin John Molisani Jr.; James Thomas Murphy; Christopher Newton-Carter; Paul R. Nimbley; Robert Emmett Parks, Jr.; Nicholas P. Pietrunti;
John M. Pocher; Beth Ann Quigley; Gregg Reidy; Robert Andrew Spencer; Dick Stadelberger; Kenneth Tietjen; Anthony Ventura; Rodney James Wotton.