Commissioners honor lives lost, bravery of first responders during 9/11 memorial ceremony

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 25^th 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 25^th 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.

# # #

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.