Quiet Reflection on September 11 in Holmdel

Last month, for the 18th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, there were no ceremonies, no songs, and no speeches at the Holmdel September 11 Memorial in front of town hall. Instead, the site was a place for quiet reflection and loving remembrance for those who chose to come and visit the magnificent sculpture with its upturned hands, its etching of the World Trade Center, the insignias of first responders, and the flight numbers of the four hijacked planes. Inscribed with the names of all the Holmdel residents and immediate family members who were lost that day, the monument is also engraved with powerful words: Family. Faith. Freedom. Hope. Love. Unity.

On a table nearby, there were boxes of votive candles and a huge vase filled with beautiful long-stemmed white roses for those who wanted to take them…or gently leave them. That night, there was a nearly full moon glowing in the sky, reflecting off a shiny Mylar balloon with the bittersweet words “Happy Birthday” that floated above the monument, next to bouquets of flowers that had been placed there by loved ones, friends, and neighbors.

Eighteen years later, in Holmdel and beyond, we will never forget.

Holmdel, NJ Residents

Christopher E. Allingham

Paul V. Barbaro

Evan Jay Baron

Michael P. LaForte

Chih Min “Dennis” Foo

Robert L. Horohoe, Jr.

Matthew Picerno

Gregory M. Preziose

Gregg Reidy

Eric Adam Stahlman

Immediate Family Members of Residents

Eric T. Allen – FDNY

Peter Paul Apollo

Brett T. Bailey

Dominick E. Calia

Lt. Peter Louis Freund – FDNY

Frederick K. Han

Brendan M. Lang

Rosanne P. Lang

Robert Scandole, Jr.

Eric Steen

James J. Straine, Jr.