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Glen Rock Remembers Its 9/11 Victims

GLEN ROCK, N.J. -- Close to 100 people gathered in Glen Rock’s Memorial Park to remember the 11 community members killed on 9/11.

The roll call:

Paul Andrew Acquaviva, 29
Grace Alegre-Cua, 40
Anthony DiOnisio Jr., 38
Brendan Dolan, 37
Timothy J. Finnerty, 33
Joseph Francis Holland III, 32
Damian Meehan, 32
David R. Meyer, 57
Craig D. Montano, 38
Richard Morgan, 63
Daniel M. Van Laere, 46.

Glen Rock Mayor John Van Keuren reads the names of Glen Rock residents killed on 9/11 before yesterday's ceremony.

Glen Rock Mayor John Van Keuren reads the names of Glen Rock residents killed on 9/11 before yesterday's ceremony.

Photo Credit: Simon Galperin
Placards surround the memorial, telling the story of the day and its aftermath in the community.

Placards surround the memorial, telling the story of the day and its aftermath in the community.

Photo Credit: Simon Galperin
A crowd listens as 9/11 survivor Dan Fontana plays music at the ceremony.

A crowd listens as 9/11 survivor Dan Fontana plays music at the ceremony.

Photo Credit: Simon Galperin
G.R.A.C.E trustee addresses the crowd.

G.R.A.C.E trustee addresses the crowd.

Photo Credit: Simon Galperin
Glen Rock's 9/11 memorial has the names of the 11 residents who died that day etched in stone.

Glen Rock's 9/11 memorial has the names of the 11 residents who died that day etched in stone.

Photo Credit: Simon Galperin

9/11 survivors and the relatives of those killed that day joined the rest of the Glen Rock community in an event organized by Glen Rock Assistance Council and Endowment (G.R.A.C.E.), created to support the Glen Rock families most affected by the attacks.

“This event brings the community together in a very, very powerful way,” said Glen Rock Mayor John van Keuren. “It does something that no other event in town can possibly touch.”

The passage of time can't loosen the bonds forged in the wake of tragecy, he said.

“That makes me proud,” the mayor said.

The memorial is 110 inches tall to symbolize the 110 stories of the former World Trade Center towers. The steel i-beam from the North tower gifted to the town by New York City has a “rough and torn face, reminding us of the magnitude of the violence of that day,” said John Cole, trustee of G.R.A.C.E.

The steel is hidden from view by two granite stones as an acknowledgment that the community’s sorrow shouldn't be on exhibit, he said.

“The steel is buried in dust from Ground Zero to act as a symbol of burial for all that could not be found and buried by their loved ones,” Cole said.

Heidi Menonna was 25 when her father, David Meyer, was killed in the attacks. She joins her family at the Glen Rock ceremony every year for solace.

“I find it so amazing that everyone comes together on this day,” she said.

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