CLOSTER, N.J.—Closter’s Sept. 11 remembrance service was held at the Closter 9/11 Memorial, located in Remembrance Park.
Completed in 2004, the memorial pays tribute to all of the Americans whose lives were so profoundly affected and homage to all persons whose sacrifices have provided our cherished freedom and liberty.
“The 9/11 Memorial stands as a moment in time when at precisely 8:46 a.m. a beam of sunlight illuminates the piece of World Trade Center steel that was recovered from the attack,” the borough told Northern Valley Press.
The memorial service welcomed all as Joel Zelnick played “Turn Out the Stars” by Bill Evans. After the Demarest Volunteer Fire Department Color Guard offered the Presentations of Colors, all participated in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest’s Concert Choir.
Fire Chief Mark Lupardi offered opening remarks, and then there was a moment of silence as the wreath was placed by the Knickerbocker Hook and Ladder Co.
The program also featured “The Path,” read by First Lt. Ross Herbert of the Closter Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Corps, followed by “Amazing Grace” played on bagpipes.
“One Infamous Day ~ Sept. 11, 2001,” by Fran Toepfer was read by Sgt. James Buccola of the Closter Police Department, as was “We Remember Them,” read by Cmdr. Richard Bishop of Leroy S. Mead American Legion Post 111.
The concert choir invited all to sing “America the Beautiful” and Detective Sgt. Vincent Aiello read “A Banner Yet to Wave.”
At 8:46 a.m. and 9:03 a.m.—the moments when American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 hit the North and South towers of the World Trade Center, respectively—moments of silence were offered.
Chief Lupardi gave closing remarks, followed by “Taps” played by Katy Holsten, then “God Bless America,” sung by the concert choir and all participants.
File photo/Murray Bass