Middletown, N.J. Remembers Sept 11

By EILEEN TRACY

Many lives were lost on Sept 11, but no town suffered a loss like Middletown, N.J. located in Monmouth County, where 37 people did not return home from work that day.

Middletown, about two hours from New York City, suffered the most losses in New Jersey. In honor of their memory several organizations built the memorial to remember the lives of those who were lost.

The memorial gardens are located near the Middletown Train Station. All the headstones were grey, the only color to be seen was the green on the tree’s and personal belongings left by their loved ones.

Headstone at Memorial Gardens

“These headstones are like the grave sites for each family. They did not get to bury their loved one because their loved one never came home to their families,” said Michelle Roese, resident of Howell, N.J.

Thirty-seven people lost their lives that day. The remains of the bodies were never recovered so the memorial is important to those families so they can remember their loved ones.

Deputy Chief Craig Weber of the Middletown Police Department thinks the memorial is a nice place to reflect and remember the people.

Memorial

Weber worked for Middletown as a Sergeant on Sept 11, 2001. He still remembers that day the police department received the phone call.

“I was at police headquarters for the meeting at 9 am. The chief security got a call and I was in the chief’s office at the time,” Weber said.

Twenty-eight officers were sent in from Middletown Police Department and no one perished in the 9/11 attacks.

Headstones at Memorial Gardens

Upon entering the site of the memorial located at the corner of Church St and Orchard St. There is a flag that stands in between two headstones. The first headstone reads, “Middletown Township Greatly Acknowledges the Following Organizations who Donated Their Efforts to Build the Middletown World Trade Center Memorial Gardens.”

The second headstone reads, “Dedicated to the 37 Middletown Residents who Lost Their Lives in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.”

Past the flag and the two headstones lies an arch that leads the way into the memorial gardens. The walkway leading into the memorial gardens is lined with American Flags, reminding those  of the heroes who lost their lives.

The headstones were etched with each person’s name, picture, a quote written by their family or a religious quote.

The first headstone was for Lorraine D. Antiqua. Her picture was etched into the headstone for all to remmeber. Antiqua’s headstone read, “You Will Always Be With Us, for You Are Always in Our Heart. You are the Best Mom in the World, We Miss You Very Much.”

One family was standing by their loved one’s headstone, grieving as if no one was watching. They cried and said a few words.

Alfred J. Braca

“Alfred J. Braca was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, nephew, and friend. He made the most of life with all of his blessings and trials. Most of all let it be known how much he loved our lord and savior Jesus Christ,” read the inscription. .

“Mommy, did all these people die? ” asked a little  as she walked  through the memorial with her friend and another mother.

“Yes they are all heroes.” replied the mother

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