Barnegat Township Unveils 9/11 Memorial With Patriotic Ceremony

First responders, school children, politicians and the American legion, among others, took part in an emotionally charged unveiling of the 9/11 Memorial at Barnegat High school.

A patriotic processional set the tone for the ceremony. Marchers included the American Legion Color Guard, the ROTC Color Guard, the Barnegat Police Department Color Guard and the Barnegat Marching Bengals drum line.

Over a dozen school children from the four grammar schools and the Russell O. Brackman Middle School kicked off the ceremony leading the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Prior to taking her place leading the crowd in the Pledge, 8th-grader Emmalee Swank sat patiently waiting for the start of the ceremony. "It's an honor. I think it's really cool that this piece of metal was donated to our town." Emmalee said. 

Charlie Giles, a resident and first responder who spearheaded the effort to bring the steel to town, took a minute to reflect on the memorial prior to the ceremony. "It took at lot to get his baby here," he concluded.

In a town with so many residents who survived the aftermath of the collapse of the World Trade towers – 15 9/11 first responders call Barnegat home – it’s important to have a memorial to remind people of the tragedy and heroism of that day ten years ago, Giles said when the piece of steel arrived last month.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, taps was performed by Brian Thelin, which set the tone for the Laying of the Wreath by first responders Giles and Frank Gambino.

Addressing the crowd, Board of Education President Lisa Becker described the memorial as hauntingly beautiful. "It stands here a solemn soldier," she said.

Mayor Jeffrey Melchiondo urged the crowd to reach out and touch the steel.  "A simple piece of steel means so much to us," he said. "This is another day to remember those days of ten years ago." 

Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove and Assemblyman Brian Rumpf presented an American flag, which flew above the World Trade Center, to Dr. Joseph Saxton, Barnegat High School principal.

The tolling of the bell, a bell salvaged from Engine 108 that was destroyed on 9/11, was led by Fire Chief Mike Moore and a member of the New York City police department.

Former New York Giants football player Keith Elias inspired the crowd in his closing remarks. "True heroes go places where other people wouldn't dare to tread," he said.

The Barnegat High School select choir, along with Armando Quiroz IV, closed the ceremony with an emotional rendering of God Bless America.