Gov. Mikie Sherrill ordered U.S. and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff on Friday, Sept.r 11, in recognition and in mourning of the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Twenty-five years ago, approximately 750 New Jerseyans were among those killed in the attacks. In the aftermath, thousands of first responders and other New Jerseyans answered the call to help save lives and recover those lost. In the years since, many have developed health complications or lost their lives from rescue and recovery efforts.
“Twenty-five years later, we remember the New Jerseyans and everyone whose lives were taken on September 11, 2001, and we stand with the families who continue to carry their loss,” said Sherrill. “As a young Naval Officer that day, I witnessed our country confront unimaginable tragedy, but I also saw the extraordinary courage of the first responders and service members who answered the call. We made a promise to never forget those we lost, and New Jersey will always keep that promise.”
For a copy of Executive Order No. 23, click here.
Empty Sky Memorial at Liberty STate Park
In the Meadowlands region, a ceremony was held on Thursday, Sept. 10 at “Empty Sky,” the state’s official memorial that honors the memory of the 749 people that lived in or had ties to New Jersey that lost their lives at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Located in Liberty State Park in Jersey City and near the historic Central Railroad Terminal of New Jersey, the ceremony was attended by state and local leaders and family members.
The memorial consists of two parallel walls representing the fallen Twin Towers. The walls are 30 feet high and 210 feet long, and stand parrellel to each other. The dimensions of each wall match the exact width and proportions of each of the fallen World Trade Center Twin Towers. Etched into the brushed stainless steel panels are the names of 749 New Jersey residents who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The names are placed randomly on the twin walls, and are etched big and deep enough for hand rubbing. Designed by Jessica Jamroz and Frederic Schwartz, the memorial was dedicated on Sept. 11, 2011, the 10-year anniversary.
Not yet finished, completing the Memorial will require an estimated $15 million. The Gary Sinise Foundation has provided funding to clean the engraved names ahead of recent anniversary services, but full architectural completion remains stalled, according to 1010 Wins.
Ceremonies were held across the Garden State and the country on Friday morning, with others planned in the afternoon or evening. New Jersey has over 150 local 9/11 memorials and events across all 21 counties.
In New York City, officials including Vice President Vance and former President Joe Biden will gather at the 9/11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan. There will also be vigils at New York City Fire Department stations and a special baseball game between the New York Yankees and the New York Mets that will include tributes to first responders and those who lost their lives.