9/11 Hero Forever Remembered, and New Endeavors for Our Graduates!

As a 9/11 first responder, I feel we were all just doing our jobs on that horrible day 10 years ago. My hero is my friend who passed on earlier this year due to 9/11 related illnesses, Harold J. "Smitty" Smith.

Yesterday was a day that I was planning for months. I wanted "Smitty's" name forever etched in the memories of our wonderful towns residents. Thanks to our Mayor Jeff Melchiondo, Deputy Mayor Al Cirulli, The Twp. Committee, Twp. Administrator Dave Breeden and our great police chief Art Drexler – they helped me make it a reality.

The intersection on Chestnut Way Circle and Ravenwood Boulevard was named Harold J. "Smitty" Smith Square, 9/11 First Responder and Hero. The street signs were made with the NYPD Logo by our very talented Charlie Coopy of the DPW, who, by the way, did a great job.

Many of you may not have known Smitty, but he was a man of great stature, a compassionate person and a loving person. Most of all he was an outstanding husband to his wife Margie and a role model for his three children, Christina, 24, Brandon, 18, and Maria, 14.

Smitty will now be remembered and honored for eternity in the town he loved, Barnegat Township. I myself miss him dearly. He was a great friend to me. There are 15  more 9/11 responders including myself living in this great town of Barnegat. Smitty represents all of us as he has now a street named after him and his legacy.

It was a bittersweet ceremony on Wednesday. Two of Smitty's children graduated this week, Maria from Brackman and Brandon from Barnegat High School. We as a community must wrap ourselves around the Smith family and embrace them with comfort and love.

Smitty's longtime friend John Corbett and his NYPD partner, retired 9/11 hero PO John Votto and myself made a promise that we would always be there for his family. We will keep that promise.

To his two children that graduated this week, Maria and Brandon, rest assured that Daddy was with you at your graduations and will always be with you for eternity – as well as with his eldest daughter, Christina.

To the crew – you know who you are – you were like his own and he will be with you always.

To all the graduating class of 2011, no matter what school, this 9/11 responder has these words for you: Follow your dreams. Stay strong in your studies. Reach for the stars, because they are within reach. Never settle for anything less. The world is yours. You are our future. Take advantage of everything put in front of you and your lives will be filled with love, laughter, success and happiness. May God bless you all as you step into the next part of your lives and all of your future endeavors. Congratulations!