Montville, NJ — Led by VFW Post 5481 Commander Ken Hanzl, Montville Township gathered at Freedom Plaza in Community Park on Friday to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with a moving memorial ceremony honoring those who were lost and ensuring their memories continue to live on.
More than 200 people attended the ceremony, which began with an invocation led by Father Mark Olenowski. World War II veteran Tom Jones then led those gathered in the Pledge of Allegiance, a touching honor for the 100-year-old veteran. Jovana Getova followed with a performance of the National Anthem before the ceremony’s three guest speakers were introduced.
Montville Township Mayor Frank Cooney was the first to address the crowd, paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the attacks while also recognizing and thanking those who gathered at Freedom Plaza to remember them 25 years later.
Montville Township High School freshman Cameron Kessler followed Mayor Cooney, offering a perspective from a generation born years after the attacks. Kessler spoke about what September 11 means to him, his family and the community, demonstrating how the memories and lessons of that day continue to be passed from one generation to the next.
Dr. Thomas Gorman, Superintendent of Montville Township Public Schools, closed out the trio of guest speakers by reflecting on his own memories of the Twin Towers and the role family played in shaping his memories of both the towers and the September 11 attacks. He concluded his remarks by thanking the students and everyone in attendance for continuing to remember and honor those who were lost.
Following the speakers, a wreath-laying ceremony was held, accompanied by music from Nick Sisco and the tolling of the bell as the names of six September 11 victims with ties to Montville were read aloud: Gayle R. Green, Thomas V. Linehan, James Martello, James Romito, Paul Skrzypek and Dennis Taormina.
Commander Hanzl also honored Montville residents John P. Flynn and William Giebler, Jr., who lost their lives in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, extending the ceremony’s remembrance to two other members of the Montville community whose lives were lost to an act of terrorism.
The ceremony concluded with a rifle salute by the VFW Post 5481 Rifle Team, followed by a moving rendition of “Taps” performed by MTHS student Mike Jung. Rev. Tom Henion offered the benediction, and MTHS student Sophia Billings closed the memorial with a performance of “God Bless America.”
Twenty-five years after a day that forever changed the nation, the gathering at Freedom Plaza served as a reminder that remembrance does not belong only to those who witnessed September 11 firsthand. Through the stories shared by families, veterans, community leaders and a new generation of students, Montville continues to ensure that those who were lost are never forgotten.
