For
Immediate Release:
September 11,
2026
Commissioners
honor lives lost, bravery of first
responders during 9/11 memorial ceremony
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ – Today, on the 25th
anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Monmouth County
Board of County Commissioners, together with Federal, State, County and local
officials, as well as family members and loved ones of the 147 Monmouth County
residents who lost their lives that morning, gathered for the County’s annual
September 11 Memorial Ceremony at Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook.
“Every year, the County’s
September 11 Memorial Ceremony reaffirms our commitment to never forget the
victims who lost their lives that day and in the days that followed,” said
Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “Most importantly, I want to encourage
everyone here today to share their experiences from September 11, 2001 with
someone who is not old enough to remember or who was not even born yet. By
continuing to share these stories, we not only educate our youth, but keep the
memories of those who perished alive and recommit ourselves to our pledge to
never forget.”
“Twenty-five years have
passed, but the impact of September 11 has not faded,” said Commissioner Ross
F. Licitra, liaison to the Monmouth County Park System. “We continue to carry
the memories of those we lost, honor the courage of those who answered the
call, and support the families whose lives were changed forever. The darkness
of that day could not overcome the strength, compassion, and resilience shown
by the American people. Those qualities continue to guide us today as we renew
our commitment to remember, not just on anniversaries, but every day. To the
families, survivors, first responders, and all those who continue to carry the
weight of September 11: please know you are not alone. We remember with you. We
stand with you. And we will always honor the promise to never forget.”
“We remember and honor the courageous first
responders running up the stairs of the burning buildings—with total disregard
for their own safety—attempting to save others at the expense of their own
lives,” said Congressman Christopher H. Smith. “We honor the heroic
firefighters, police officers, paramedics and civilian support staff members
who have suffered and died from illnesses related to the rescue and recovery
efforts in the aftermath of one of the darkest days in U.S. history.”
“Early on in my career, teaching about 9/11 was a
shared experience with my students, something they may have been young for but
still remembered,” said Jessica Cappadona, a history teacher at the Marine
Academy of Science and Technology, part of the Monmouth County Vocational
School District. “Now, 25 years later, it isn’t a memory, it’s history. And
like all history, it risks being misunderstood or overlooked unless we make a
deliberate effort to teach it with care and accuracy.”
“I have learned that no in-class lesson can compare
to the experience of physically visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in
Manhattan. I bring my students to the museum every year and each visit leaves a
lasting impact,” said Cappadona. “For my students, the history is personal and
has deep roots in Monmouth County. My students leave with a stronger sense
of civic responsibility, a deeper understanding of community, and an
understanding of why we honor those we lost on that day and continue to lose as
a result of that day.”
In commemoration of the 25th anniversary
of September 11, 2001, the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners
presented the 25 Years of Remembrance Tree that will be planted at Mount
Mitchill.
“This symbol of strength was inspired by the Survivor
Tree that was discovered in the rubble of Ground Zero in October 2001. The tree
was damaged but, just like American resolve, rose above the ashes and debris to
provide hope for Americans throughout the Country,” said Commissioner Director
Arnone.
The plaque reads:
25 years of Remembrance
In memory of the lives lost
In honor of the heroes who answered the
call
And in gratitude for those who continue
to serve
We Remember. We Honor. We Never Forget.
Monmouth County Remembers. Today.
Tomorrow. Always.
In addition to the officials, families and residents
in attendance, the Board of County Commissioners was joined by the Pipes and
Drums of the Atlantic Watch, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Honor Guard, singer Amy
Hariegel, Rev. Joseph J. Donnelly Council 11660 Knights of Columbus and the
Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Color Corps, the Count Basie Center Gospel
Choir, Rev. Ronald Sparks of Bethel AME Church, Freehold, and Father Brian
Butch of St. Gabriel’s Church, Marlboro.
Mount Mitchill is home to Monmouth County’s
September 11 Memorial, which is a tribute to the 147 men and women from the
County who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks. The path leading to the
memorial chronicles the events of that day and at the center is a light stone
sculpture of an eagle by local artist Franco Minervini. The eagle grasps a beam
from the World Trade Center.
At 266 feet above sea level, the overlook in Atlantic Highlands
sits on the highest natural elevation on the Atlantic seaboard (excluding
islands) from Maine to the Yucatan, providing beautiful views of Sandy Hook,
Sandy Hook Bay, Raritan Bay and the New York skyline. The 12-acre site is home
to Monmouth County's 9/11 Memorial.
The Memorial Ceremony was
live-streamed and can be viewed in its entirety on the Monmouth County
Government’s Facebook and YouTube Channel. Photos can be found here.
For news and alerts from Monmouth County, go
to www.visitmonmouth.com or follow @MonmouthGovNJ on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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ATLANTIC
HIGHLANDS, NJ – Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone provided
remarks about the importance of educating future generations about the
terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 during the Monmouth County Memorial
Ceremony on September 11, 2026. Photo by Monmouth County Government.
ATLANTIC
HIGHLANDS, NJ – Monmouth County Commissioner Ross F. Licitra, liaison to the
Monmouth County Park System, described some of the features of Mount Mitchill
Scenic Overlook that paid tribute to the events that occurred on September 11,
2001 during the Monmouth County Memorial Ceremony on September 11, 2026. Photo
by Monmouth County Government.
ATLANTIC
HIGHLANDS, NJ – Congressman Christopher H. Smith shared stories of heroic
action performed by first responders and residents during the Monmouth County
Memorial Ceremony on September 11, 2026. Photo by Monmouth County Government.
ATLANTIC
HIGHLANDS, NJ – Jessica Cappadona, a history teacher at the Marine Academy of
Science and Technology, part of the Monmouth County Vocational School District
explained the ways she teaches the events of September 11, 2001 to her students
during the Monmouth County Memorial Ceremony on September 11, 2026. Photo by
Monmouth County Government.
ATLANTIC
HIGHLANDS, NJ – On the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September
11, 2001, the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, together with
Federal, State, County and local officials, as well as family members and loved
ones of the 147 Monmouth County residents who lost their lives that morning,
gathered for the County’s annual September 11 Memorial Ceremony at Mount
Mitchill Scenic Overlook. Photo by Monmouth County Government.
ATLANTIC
HIGHLANDS, NJ - In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001,
the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners presented the 25 Years of
Remembrance Tree. Photo by Monmouth County Government.