Monmouth County 9/11 Memorial unveiled

PHOTOSBY CHRIS KELLY staff Jim Register, Middletown, strikes a bell seven times, representing the seven tragic events of the day at the 9/11 Memorial at Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook, Atlantic Highlands. The Monmouth County 9/11 Memorial dedication was held at Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook on Sunday. As part of the gathering, a permanent memorial designed by artist Franco Minervini was unveiled, including a 7,000-pound stone American eagle.

The county lost 147 people in the attacks, with ages ranging from 25 to 70. Family members of the deceased were given small pieces of the stone used to carve the eagle.

Members of the Naval Weapons Station Earle Color Guard salute as Gregory Tidy plays taps on Sunday. Frances Fragos Townsend, assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism, and Lewis Eisenberg, the former chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, were keynote speakers.

Townsend ended her talk by quoting parts of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion.”

The new Monmouth County 9/11 Memorial, created by artist Franco Minervini, was unveiled at the ceremony Sunday. Gubernatorial candidates Doug Forrester and Sen. Jon Corzine attended the event, along with Freeholder Bill Barham and Friends of the Parks Executive Director Michelle Spears. The Howell High School choir, Rebel Yell, performed several songs, as did the Monmouth County Police Pipes and Drums.

— Karen E. Bowes

Manalapan Police Department Detective Paul Seetoo leads off the Monmouth County Police Pipes and Drums’ rendition of “Amazing Grace” during dedication ceremonies.Names etched in the new county 9/11 monument at Mount Mitchill.The New York skyline is visible beyond the 9/11 memorial.