Rumson Firehouse Sept. 11 Memorial Unveiled At Ceremony

RUMSON, NJ - A new memorial to pay tribute to the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001 has been unveiled in front of the Rumson Fire Company on East River Road. At a Sept. 12 ceremony in front of the firehouse, members of the fire department alongside Rumson Mayor Joe Hemphill, Rumson police, borough council members, Monmouth County Fire Marshal Fred Migliaccio and other officials joined in to reveal the brand-new monument.

“This memorial was dedicated yesterday on the 19th anniversary of this sad day by the members of our company,” said Lt. Paul Halligan at the ceremony.

“Today we are proud to reveal it to the public on the day that the country came together to help one another after that day of immense tragedy. The day that 2,977 died and more than 600 people were injured. Most of those who perished were the 2,606 at the World Trade Center. Included in that amount were the 8 EMT/paramedics, 71 law enforcement officers and the 343 firefighters. Many more since that day have succumbed to 9/11 related illnesses. We at the Rumson Fire Company in the days that followed collected over $40,000 that went directly to Widows and Children’s Fund of the FDNY.”

Earlier this year, the Rumson Fire Company submitted a lottery request to the NY/NJ Port Authority to receive a piece of the World Trade Center towers to remember those who fell victim to the terrorist attacks. The newly-acquired piece of steel is 32 inches long, 15 inches wide and 8 inches high, weighing 147 pounds.

Rumson resident and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School junior Griffin Volk worked "very hard planning and organizing" the project on behalf of the fire department, according to the company. He pursued the project in order to fulfill his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout.

“I chose this project because I knew it was something that would have a significant impact on the community and serve as a reminder of all those firefighters that lost their lives,” Volk said at the ceremony.

“I believe that this memorial will be around for centuries and will serve as a reminder of all the hard work that I’ve put into my career as a Scout. I also look forward to bringing my kids to this memorial one day and telling them of the heroic action the firefighters took on that day. This project also gave me a great opportunity to lead other Scouts, which are fundamental aspects of an Eagle Scout project.”

The Rumson Fire Company thanked Ryser’s Landscape Supply for the steel edging on the memorial, Kevin and Christine Volk for monetary donations, ABBVIE for matching funds to pay for lights and additional expenses, Red Bank Volvo for clear coating the beam and Boy Scout Troop 201 for donating the stones.

“Never Forget: this Beam from the World Trade Center is a reminder of that monumental day that will never be forgotten," reads the new plaque. "Let us remember the 343 Firefighters who gave their lives. Dedicated September 11, 2020: Rumson Fire Company, Boy Scouts of America, Troop 201.”

Have a news tip? Email nicole.rosenthal@patch.com. Click here to get Patch email notifications, or get breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app, download here. Follow Rumson-Fair Haven Patch on Facebook.