Fund-raising effort continues

The Monmouth County 9/11 Memorial Committee recently announced that nearly one-third of its fund-raising goal has been reached. The project to honor Monmouth County residents lost in the September 2001 terrorist attacks is a collaboration between the Monmouth County Board of Free-holders, the Monmouth County Park System, the Friends of the Parks and the Monmouth County 9/11 Memorial Committee.

To date, individuals, businesses, school children and community organizations have contributed more than $110,000 toward the total fund-raising goal of $400,000. The 9/11 Memorial Committee announced that it has received a grant of $10,000 from the Gannett Foundation.

The memorial will be constructed at Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook in Atlantic Highlands, a county park. According to a press release from the park system, work has begun at Mount Mitchill to complete a $656,462 renovation of the park funded by the Monmouth County Park System. The improvements include a redesign of the park that will include a location for the memorial.

Memorial committee Chairman Frank Tomaino said, "We are very fortunate that the park system has provided space at Mount Mitchill for the memorial. The overlook is the perfect location to pay tribute to the members of the Monmouth County community who were lost on Sept. 11. The park affords visitors a view of the New York City skyline and harbor."

Park improvements are scheduled to be completed by late summer and a special program at the memorial site is planned for September.

The centerpiece of the memorial will be a sculpture of an eagle that will sit atop a black granite table inscribed with the victims’ names. The eagle, which will be in an ascending posture, will hold in its talons a structural beam recovered from the World Trade Center rubble. Artist Frank Minervini of Freehold Township will craft the eagle.