Alone, New Jersey Vet Walks 20 Miles To Honor 9/11 Victims

LANOKA HARBOR, NJ — Driven to serve and protect his country following the 9/11 attacks, the eight months Tomaso "Tommy" Morgano spent in Afghanistan in 2007 forever changed his life. It taught him to appreciate everything around him and never take anything for granted.

Fourteen years later, as the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks neared, the Lanoka Harbor man knew he wanted to do something to honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives that day.

He organized a walk on Sept. 11 at Gille Park. He would walk 20 miles, each commemorating a year gone by. He shared the event online, inviting others to join him.

On Saturday, carrying the American flag, Tommy made the walk alone.

"It almost felt like people were taken back by the sight of a man holding the flag," his wife Kelly said in an email to Patch. Speaking on her husband's behalf, Kelly said it felt like passers-by didn't know what to say or think of him making the trek.

"It was a really strange feeling," she said.

Still, Kelly wanted to share Tommy's story to provide a "ray of hope" during a time when the nation feels more divided than ever.

Known for being the "military home" on Lanoka Harbor's Oxford Road, residents may know the Morganos by their summer decor — the U.S.-themed memorabilia, signs and the giant pre-lit American flag hanging on the front door of the home the couple shares with their three kids. Tommy just took the flag down after Labor Day.

Originally from Lyndhurst, Tommy joined the U.S. Marine Corps when he was 21 years old, Kelly said. It was 9/11 that inspired him to enlist.

"He felt there was more he could do with his life and he wanted to serve, protect and do some good in this world," Kelly said.

The months he spent in Kandahar, Afghanistan, taught him things he still carries with him today, Kelly said. It showed him cruelty but also instilled in him deep gratitude.

"His coping skills are far different than anyone’s I’ve seen," Kelly said. "He always finds a solution to every problem."

Now working as a civilian at the U.S Army Picatinny Arsenal, Tommy can no longer serve in the military due to multiple disabilities he developed during his time in Afghanistan.

Organizing a walk felt like something meaningful he could do to honor the victims of 9/11, Kelly said.

As Tommy made the 20-mile trek around Gille Park, a few people honked in support. Others encouraged him, providing him with more inspiration to keep going.

Each time Tommy felt like his legs might give out, he thought of those killed in the 9/11 attacks and it "gave him strength."

"He made a promise to himself and he was going to honor that promise, no matter what," his wife said. "He would think about the people in the towers, the firefighters, the police officers, the office workers who all just kept going even when they wanted to give up."

Yet it was hard to ignore those who didn't stop or those who didn't encourage. The couple couldn't help but notice the confusion and reluctance by others to approach a lone man carrying an American flag through a New Jersey park.

Kelly and Tommy said it might be easier to understand if Americans could "put aside" their divisions.

"He wants our children and the rest of the world to understand what our American flag truly means — what it represents," Kelly said. "The sacrifices that not even him, but others who came before him made for our country to have the freedom and choices that so many of us take for granted every day."

"Those men and women on 9/11 woke up having no idea it was going to be the last time they saw their families. We can’t forget them," she continued.

As for Tommy's walk, he's planning to make it an annual event. Anyone who wants to walk or show their support next year may join him.

"Whatever party or political views you may have, we are a country of brave, strong people who need to get united once again," Kelly said.