A Somber Day in American History Remembered

The flag was lowered to half mast on a cloudy and cool Sunday morning, September 11, 2011, as dozens of residents, and members of township council, police, fire, and emergency services departments, gathered at 8:30 a.m. in Memorial Park on Park Ave. to remember the tenth anniversary of the day that deeply touched the community and shocked our nation and the world.   

The mayor brought to attention a large piece of steel from the World Trade Center that will permanently reside in the township’s Memorial Park as a reminder of the magnitude of the loss on Sept. 11, 2001.

"They were not combatants. The people who lost their lives were just going to work that day. I hope that one hundred years from now, the community will still gather together to remember this day," said Bruno.

In an emotional recollection of the events, Bruno asked the community to consider the enormity and depth of the loss of life.

“How many daughters were never walked down the aisle, how many fathers were no longer able to attend the baseball games of their children, how many mothers would never bake cookies again,” asked Bruno. 

He offered special thanks to the fire, police and emergency rescue workers in the community. He said, "These are our first responders, they sacrifice a great deal and leave their families and their homes and we should never forget how much they sacrifice to serve us – to serve their community." 

He also reflected on two residents who lost their lives on September 11 -- 29-year-old Scott Hazlecorn, and Commander Patrick Murphy who was in the Navy Reserves and just happened to be serving the two weeks during which time the terrorists struck America.

At 8:46 a.m., Bruno led the community in a moment of silence to reflect upon the moment the first place struck the towers.

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick also offered his thoughts and prayers for the two families that lost loved ones that day.

Bramnick said “I know the pain after 10 years has not lessened, but we hope that as we come together as a community, the families can feel our support and feel some solace."

He acknowledged the work of the volunteer rescue squad and other volunteers in the community saying that it is the love and caring of neighbor to neighbor that keeps the community strong.

After the ceremony, residents share their thoughts about how Sept. 11th changed their world.

The Vapsva family, who moved to Berkeley Heights five years ago from Manhattan, were deeply touched by the events of that September day. At the time of the attacks, they lived on 14th St.

Christine Vapsva, 13, said she was in shock viewing the piece of steel from the World Trade Center.

She said, “It’s unbelievable to see what happened to this enormous piece of steel.”

Her mother, Jean Ellen Vapsva tearfully recalled that they watched the towers burn from their apartment window, and while they were not directly affected, they appreciate the chance to participate in a memorial to help in the healing process.

“It was a big part of our life for many years,” she said.

The family continued to live in Manhattan for five years.

“We wanted to show our support. We wanted to affirm that New York City was a healthy and safe place to raise a family,” she said.

John Vapsva said it was the worst day of his life and although he didn’t lose anyone, it made him realize how unaware they had been about what was really going on in the world.

Choking up with tears, he said, “The real heroes were the firefighters and the sacrifices that the firefighters had to make to save people’s lives.”

Jean Ellen said she recalled a “common connection” that everyone felt immediately following the attacks.

The Vapsva’s youngest son said he has only heard his parents talk about the events of 9/11 but it still affected him.

“From what I’ve heard, it sounds like a demon,” said Dominick Vapsva.

Councilwoman Elaine Perna said she will never forget that day in September 10 years ago because her husband was working on Wall Street at the time.

“He was about five blocks away and fortunately far enough away to escape unscathed, though he was one of the people fleeing north on the island of Manhattan when the first tower came crashing down and he was covered in ash,” said Perna.

Stephen Yellin, who was 13 years old at the time of the attacks, said that he believes prior to 9/11 the world was much simpler.

He said, “You could walk to school on your own, there wasn’t as much fear. September 11th changed that forever.”

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