The Monmouth County 9/11 Memorial dedication was held at Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook on Sunday. As part of the gathering, a permanent memorial designed by artist Franco Minervini was unveiled, including a 7,000-pound stone American eagle.
The county lost 147 people in the attacks, with ages ranging from 25 to 70. Family members of the deceased were given small pieces of the stone used to carve the eagle.
Frances Fragos Townsend, assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism, and Lewis Eisenberg, the former chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, were keynote speakers.
Townsend ended her talk by quoting parts of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion.”
Gubernatorial candidates Doug Forrester and Sen. Jon Corzine attended the event, along with Freeholder Bill Barham and Friends of the Parks Executive Director Michelle Spears. The Howell High School choir, Rebel Yell, performed several songs, as did the Monmouth County Police Pipes and Drums.
— Karen E. Bowes
at Mount Mitchiil.