RARITAN TOWNSHIP – Hunterdon County officials, law enforcement officers, first responders, veterans and residents gathered Friday to dedicate a permanent Sept. 11 memorial at Hilltop Reserve while commemorating the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
The new memorial honors the 15 Hunterdon County residents who died on Sept. 11, 2001. This year's annual remembrance marked the first official ceremony held at the site.
"Twenty-five years have passed, but September 11 remains a day that none of us should ever forget," Hunterdon County Sheriff Fred Brown said. "Today was about remembering the people we lost, honoring their families and making sure their stories are carried forward."
Hilltop Reserve was selected for the memorial because of its connection to Sept. 11. Located at one of the county's highest points, the property provided a view of the smoke rising from the World Trade Center after the attacks. Residents gathered there in the days that followed to look toward New York City and process the tragedy.
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"This location has meaning because people were here on September 11 and in the days afterward," Brown said. "They came here because they could see what was happening in New York from this hill. To now have a permanent place where people can remember the 15 Hunterdon County residents we lost and reflect on everything that happened that day is very meaningful."
The memorial incorporates elements representing each of the three attack sites. Two trees symbolize the World Trade Center towers, a Pentagon-shaped garden honors those killed at the Pentagon, and an area of native vegetation represents the field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 crashed. The site also includes a monument, pavilion and walking trail.
The ceremony featured performances of "God Bless America" and the national anthem, a presentation of colors by the Hunterdon County Polytech Student Honor Guard and a moment of silence.
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A courthouse bell rang 15 times in memory of the 15 Hunterdon County residents who died in the attacks. The ceremony also included the playing of taps and a New Jersey State Police helicopter flyover.
Commissioner Director John Lanza formally dedicated the memorial.
"As Sheriff, I am especially mindful of the first responders who ran toward danger that day and of those who continued working long after the attacks," Brown said. "We witnessed extraordinary courage and service in the face of unimaginable tragedy."
Brown said the memorial will serve as a lasting tribute for future generations.
"This memorial will stand as a place of remembrance for the people of Hunterdon County," he said. "We do not forget, and no one is forgotten."
Alexander Lewis is an award-winning reporter and photojournalist whose work spans many topics. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Hunterdon County dedicates new 9/11 memorial honoring 15 victims