Township to build Sept. 11 memorial
By MELISSA DIPENTO
The Cherry Hill Sun
3/29/2011

Flanked by Cherry Hill police officers and firefighters, Mayor Bernie Platt announced last week the township’s plans to erect a permanent memorial in remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

“Ten years ago on Sept. 11, 2001 our country was forever changed. What started as a beautiful Tuesday morning saw one of the most stunning, chilling displays of hatred and violence ever carried out on American soil. More than 3,000 men and women lost their lives on Sept. 11,” Platt said.

“And for several years now, the township and members of the police and fire departments have been searching for a fitting way to permanently pay tribute here in Cherry Hill.”

The township is planning a September unveiling.

Firefighter Raymond Reis was directed by Chief Robert Giorgio to coordinate the memorial, which will be permanently housed in front of the Fire Administration Building on Marlkress Road.

The township, through the work of its firefighters, was able to acquire a 3 foot long piece of steel from the World Trade Center’s North Tower. The WTC steel will be prominently utilized in the memorial, officials said.

Two granite towers will be linked together by the steel. The memorial will stand in the middle of a larger courtyard. Platt said the garden will provide a fitting solitude for those who come to pay their respects in the future.

The memorial will honor those who died, served and worked in the WTC towers, Reis said.

Police Chief Rick DelCampo said he is looking forward to the seeing the memorial in the township.

“I proudly stand next to these gentlemen today, as we put this piece of steel that was part of the WTC to work again for a place where we can come and also remember the men and women who lost their lives that day,” DelCampo said.

Reis said the labor needed to construct the monument can be done by a company in the South. He added that the fire department is also working with a local memorial company to complete the work. The work, he said, takes about two to three months to complete.

Platt told the audience that the township, at this point, is planning to fund the memorial entirely on donations. The estimated cost of the memorial is $60,000.

Platt handed Reis a check for $1,000, being the first person to add to the memorial fund.

Residents and local businesses are invited to donate to the cause through a secure Web site, www.cherryhillfire.org/memorial.asp.