Lift 11 Tons and What Do You Get? [Video]

Country singer Tennessee Ernie Ford sang in 1955 about getting deeper in debt and a day older lifting 16 tons of coal, but for a crew at the municipal complex today, lifting 11 tons of granite brought the township a step closer to realizing .

Working with a 20-ton crane from United Crane Rentals, of Kenilworth, the two 11,000-pound granite columns representing the World Trade Towers were lifted and placed. Guiding the columns were Tonwship Committeeman Gary DiNardo, Chief of Police Russell Leffert, volunteers John Tucker and James DiVizio, and Scott Lamperti, of Plainfield Granite Works—Laperti and Sons.

Once in place, the 15-foot tall columns were leveled and ready to have the three-foot deep concrete base poured.

With the columns in place, residents can begin to better visualize the monument, which is schedueld to be dedicated at a ceremony Nov. 4.

Avoiding Tennessee Ernie Ford's dilemna, the memorial project is being financed through donations from community groups, residents like DiVizio and Tucker—and vendors, including United Crane Rental.