Marlboro Remembers the 14 it Lost on 9/11

Hundreds came together in Marlboro Township to remembers those lost during the Sept. 11 attacks, including the families and friends of the 14 residents who died that day.

Fire truck sirens timed horns to remembers significant moments.

At 8:46 a.m., a plane hit North Tower of the World Trade Center.
At 9:03 a.m., a second plane hit the South Tower.
At 9:37 a.m., a place crashes into the western wing of the Pentagon.
At 9:59 a.m., the South Tower begins to collapse.
At 10:03 a.m., Flight 93 crashed into a field in Somerset County, PA.
At 10:28 a.m., the North Tower begins to collapse.

The township re-dedicated its existing memorial, which now features a 12” steel beam from the World Trade Center. The beam is a twin beam to the only piece of the towers in Afghanistan.

Councilman and Lt. Col. Jeff Cantor flew that beam into Afghanistan and around Taliban controlled land. In America, Cantor was a key leader in Marlboro’s new monument.

“It is a remarkable example of the kind of unity that I feel and I’m sure you all feel today,” Cantor said.

The ceremony welcome speakers Congressman Frank Pallone, Freeholders John Curley and Amy Mallet, Col. Hugh Van Roosen, and members of the families who lost someone due to the attacks.

Each Marlboro Township resident lost was honored with a rose and flag, set at the base of the monument by friends and families.

Encased in the memorial is the flag which covered the beam on its police-escorted trip from New York to Marlboro.

At the base of the monument is a time capsule, buried with mementos and keepsakes memorializing the 14 residents lost.

“What we are is a community of neighbors with passion, who care about each other, and it really shows on a day like today,” said Mayor Jon Hornik.

Freeholder Amy Mallet said that of the 2,996 people that died in the attacks, 5 percent were from Monmouth County, and 1 in 10 of that percentage were residents of Marlboro Township.

“Healing takes a long time,” she said.

Cantor said to the families who lost loved ones, “Know that you have an entire community that stands with you today.”