New 9/11 Memorial Unveiled in Chesterfield, New Jersey
On September 11, a new 9/11 memorial was unveiled in Chesterfield, New Jersey, to honor the victims and heroes of the 9/11 terror attacks. This initiative was led by Sewa International’s South Jersey Chapter in partnership with Chesterfield Township.
Event Details
The ceremony was attended by over 350 people, including local officials, state senators, assembly members, and first responders. Three key monuments symbolizing the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 were unveiled during the event.
The memorial was completed in just 23 days, funded by generous donors and sponsors. It was a collective effort involving veterans, first responders, the township committee and staff, the environmental commission, the historical society, the interfaith group, Sewa volunteers, supporters, local businesses, and corporations.
Speeches and Reflections
Lt Col Eric J Tolska, a key figure in the 9/11 rescue efforts, delivered a keynote address reflecting on the courage and challenges of that day. State Senator Latham Tiver emphasized the need to embody values of care and pride daily, while Assemblywoman Andrea Katz urged everyone to reconnect and be kind. Mayor Matthew Litt expressed gratitude for the memorial, noting its role as a space for reflection and unity.
Sandesh Kamath, Sewa’s Chapter Coordinator, said, “This memorial stands as a testament to the power of unity–showing that when we come together, work together, and support one another, nothing is beyond our reach.”
Sridhar Talanki, a Sewa International USA board member, highlighted the impact of collective action, saying, “Together, we can build a future where every citizen has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
Historical Context
Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the deadliest terror attack in US history when two out of the four planes hijacked by Al Qaeda terrorists crashed into each of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. Another plane crashed into the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed in a field in rural Pennsylvania after passengers tried to thwart the hijacking.
The event underscored the resilience and unity of the American spirit, with Sewa International South Jersey Chapter expressing continued commitment to community service and historical preservation.
Doubts Revealed
9/11 -: 9/11 refers to the terrorist attacks that happened in the United States on September 11, 2001. Terrorists hijacked airplanes and crashed them into the Twin Towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Another plane, Flight 93, crashed in Pennsylvania.
Memorial -: A memorial is a structure or event that helps people remember and honor someone or something important. In this case, the 9/11 memorial helps people remember the tragic events and the people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Chesterfield, New Jersey -: Chesterfield is a small town in the state of New Jersey, USA. It is where the new 9/11 memorial was unveiled.
Sewa International -: Sewa International is a non-profit organization that helps people in need. They do various community service projects and were involved in creating the new 9/11 memorial.
Twin Towers -: The Twin Towers were two very tall buildings in New York City that were destroyed during the 9/11 attacks. They were part of the World Trade Center.
Pentagon -: The Pentagon is a large building in Washington, D.C., that serves as the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. It was also attacked on 9/11.
Flight 93 -: Flight 93 was one of the airplanes hijacked on 9/11. The passengers fought back against the terrorists, and the plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania instead of hitting its intended target.
Lt Col Eric J Tolska -: Lt Col Eric J Tolska is a Lieutenant Colonel in the military. He was one of the key speakers at the memorial event.
State Senator Latham Tiver -: State Senator Latham Tiver is a politician who represents a part of New Jersey in the state government. He spoke at the memorial event.
Assemblywoman Andrea Katz -: Assemblywoman Andrea Katz is a member of the New Jersey State Assembly, which is part of the state government. She also spoke at the event.
Mayor Matthew Litt -: Mayor Matthew Litt is the mayor of Chesterfield, New Jersey. He was one of the speakers at the 9/11 memorial event.
Resilience -: Resilience means being strong and able to recover quickly from difficult situations. The event highlighted how people came together and stayed strong after the 9/11 attacks.
Unity -: Unity means being together and working as one. The event showed how people in America came together to support each other after the 9/11 attacks.