NORTHVALE—The Borough of Northvale on Sept. 9 dedicated a memorial to the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks during its annual Town Day at Hogan Park. The area consists of two stone towers surrounded by landscaping, shrubbery and benches underneath the American flag.
Mayor Joseph E. McGuire tells Northern Valley Press, “First, while Northvale did not have any residents die on Sept. 11, 2001, we had many family members and friends perish that day. Second, in the time since that day we have had Northvale residents die from 9/11 related illnesses and they are just as much victims as those that passed on 9/11. Third, the monument stands as a testament to our brave first responders who answer the call for our residents every day. Lastly, we have a generation of young people who were either not alive or too young to remember the events of that day and it’s important to keep its memory alive so that we do not forget.”
He said, “I’ve wondered for quite a while why Northvale had no memorial for 9/11, outside of a bench in the park. Now I’m proud that we, as a mayor and council along with our DPW, were able to do the right thing and make this happen for the victims, their families and our first responders.”