Recalling 9/11 and Looking Ahead [VIDEO]

With more than 100 residents attending, Warren Township held a solemn 9/11 memorial sevice and dedication of its planned monument, Sunday.

Deputy Mayor Carolann Garafola lead the events, which opened with the Police Department Honor Guard, with Officers William Loften, Daniel Gleeson, Robert Ferreiro and Erik Larsen posting a flag at the site of the monument.

Warren Middle School Student Government Association President Jason Hoffman led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Stonecrest Community Church Pastor Brent Haggerty followed with the invocation.

Other participants in the ceremony included Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, Mayor Gary DiNardo, Chief of Police Russell Leffert, former Fire Chief Timothy McGowan, and Stonecrest Community Church Executive Pastor Jeff Heinaman.

Closing the ceremony was a performance of an original composition "The Fall," by Carolyn Messina.

Speakers focused on their memories of the day, as well as their hopes for the future. Bramnick called for "a renewal of the spirit that followed that day." 

"As I've trveled to the 16 towns we represent in the legislature, and look at ech pieve of the World Trade Center, each one was unique," Bramnick said. "Unfortunately, we lost many unique individuals that day."

Mayor DiNardo recalled his emotions when he and Chief Leffert brought the massive steel girder that will be used in the township memorial, noting more than 40 people watched a caravan that included police and fire trucks, and the girder on a two truck, and a crowd of 100 greeted it at the municipal complex in March.

During his benediction, the Rev. Jeff Heinaman noted God was aware of the placement of the steel girder in the towers, as it fell to the ground, and as it was brought to Warren.

"Father, would you use this as a reminder to us that on that day, you were mindful of every single person," the Rev. Heinaman said. "May this comfort us, Father, as we look toward the future, a little wiser perhaps, but, Father, just as much in need of your comfort, your love and the ability to love one another as you love us."

The monument will completed later, after two massive granite columns are hoisted into place to support the girder.