For Immediate
Release:
September 7, 2021
County to
sponsor a “Tribute in Lights”
in honor
of 9/11
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ – In honor of the lives lost and
the fearless display of heroism by rescue teams and citizens who responded to
the tragedy on September 11, 2001, the Monmouth County Board of County
Commissioners will sponsor a “Tribute in Lights” for three nights beginning on
Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
“Last
year, the Commissioners sponsored a ‘Tribute in Lights’ for the first time and
the response was overwhelming, so we and felt that it was incredibly important
to continue this tradition this year to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the
tragic attacks that occurred on 9/11,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A.
Arnone. “Monmouth County will never forget the 147 men and women who called our
County home and lost their lives on 9/11. We must continue to educate the next
generation about the tragedies that took place that day but also the displays
of heroism, selflessness and courage that our first responders and people from
around the globe demonstrated in response to the attacks.”
The
lights will be illuminated from sunset to 11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 10,
Saturday, Sept. 11 and Sunday, Sept. 12. The lights will be visible from Mount
Mitchill Scenic Overlook.
“The lights honor those who we lost during the
terrorist attacks on 9/11 and serve as a reminder that in the midst of tragedy,
the American spirit endures and we rise up,” said Commissioner Ross F. Licitra,
liaison to the Monmouth County Park System. “On the 20th
anniversary, these lights are our promise to ‘Never forget.’”
At
266 feet, this overlook in Atlantic Highlands sits on the highest natural
elevation on the Atlantic seaboard (excluding islands) from Maine to the
Yucatan providing beautiful views of Sandy Hook, Sandy Hook Bay, Raritan Bay
and the New York skyline. This 12-acre site is also home to Monmouth County's
9/11 Memorial.
There
were 147 people from Monmouth County who perished in the terrorists attacks of
September 11th, 2001. For days and weeks afterward, people visited Mount
Mitchill to reflect and remember.
In
2002, the Monmouth County 9/11 Committee formed and began making plans for a
fitting tribute to the victims, heroes, and events of September 11th. The
group’s first responsibility was to select a memorial to fit into Mount
Mitchill Scenic Overlook. The 9/11 Committee then embarked on a major
fundraising effort to finance the Memorial. By midsummer 2005 the group
exceeded its goal by raising $296,000. Continued donations will support the
upkeep and maintenance of the Memorial.
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