Sept. 11 Memorial Steel To Arrive Thursday

Steel from the World Trade Towers intended for Warren's Sept. 11 memorial will be arriving Thursday afternoon, the township announced today.

The steel will be brought to the Community Volunteer Fire Co. firehouse, on Community Place, from a storage facility at John F. Kennedy Airport, where steel from the buildings is being kept. Officials say they expect the steel to arrive at about 1 p.m. Thursday.

The project  to honor police and fire fighters killed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centerwas launched Sept. 11, 2010. 

The steel will be used to construct the arms of the sculpture, which was designed by Warren resident Ralph Garafola. Members of Steamfitters Local 475, on Mt. Bethel Road, are donating the labor to assemble the sculpture, which will be placed at the municipal complex.

To obtain the steel, the township had to obtain approval of the plans from the WTC Steel Committee, and approve a contract with the Port Authority of NY and NJ.

The township committee coordinating the project includes Mayor Gary P. DiNardo; Deputy Mayor Carolann Garafola; former Gov. Donald T. DiFrancesco; former Warren Township Fire Chief Tim McGowan; Police Chief Russell Leffert and Township Administrator Mark M. Krane.

The project is expected to cost $20,000, with fundraising underway. The township has collected more than $12,000 for the project, including a $2,500 donation from the Warren Township PBA in December. To send a donation for the project, check made out to “9-11 Memorial Fund” can be mailed to  Community Volunteer Fire Company, 14 Community Place, Warren, NJ  07059.