'A place of inspiration': Montville marks 9/11 with unveiling of new twin tower memorial

With its borders less than 30 miles from Ground Zero, the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center still burn in the memory of adult residents in Morris County.

Home to six of Morris County's 64 9/11 victims, Montville now refers to September 11 as "Patriot Day," marking the occasion annually with prayers, bells, songs and speeches, flanked by a color guard from VFW Post 5481 at Community Park.

This year's solemn remembrance event was brightened by the unveiling of twin granite towers to represent the fallen skyscrapers in the middle of the circular Freedom Plaza patio. About 100 people attended. More watched a live stream of the event on Zoom.

"The 9/11 attacks did not bring us down," said Post 5481 Commander Ken Hanzl, serving as a master of ceremonies. "We gather here as a place of inspiration to reflect on ideals of hope, faith, strength and freedom, words edged into the concrete here."

Family members of one hometown victim - James Martello - helped unveil the tower memorial, including his sons James and Thomas, who were ages 7 and 5, respectively, at the time. Known to his friends as Jimmy, Martello was a trader at Cantor Fitzgerald when he died in the North Tower at age 41.

"My dad lived by the mantra if it needs to be loved, love it," James Martello said. "If it needs to be given, give it and if it needs to be done, do it. My family and I take pride in living our lives this way in honor of my dad."

"My dad was a very big guy and the only thing bigger than him was his heart, his willingness to give, and his spirit," said Thomas Martello, who added a Bible quote "Let light shine out of darkness."

"Even 22 years later, we live in a world with a lot of darkness, and everyone has their own hardships and despair they go through," he said. "But remember this quote and remember this sculpture and the light that shines through the darkness every day."

Generational perspective

The audience ranged from 97-year-old World War II veteran Tom Jones, who led the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance, to a group of students from Lazar Middle School who were born a decade after 9/11.

Three student musicians from Montville High School also see 9/11 as a historic event before their time, but Patriot's Day in Montville brings the lesson closer to home.

"The fact that it resonates with so many people, just in our town, and people that are close to us, so it's important to still remember today," said senior Hanna Musilli, who played "Taps" on her trumpet during the ceremony,

"The way it is spoken about gives us a different feeling than other history events we learn about," said senior Joe Amoroso, who sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America." "So many people [here] have a relation to the event itself."

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The previous centerpiece of Freedom Plaza - a riveted piece of steel recovered from Ground Zero by the VFW's Tom Mazzaccaro and then-township engineer Anthony Barile - now overlooks the towers from the perimeter.

Another Montville High School student, junior Hem Vadgama, strapped on his drum to lead the color guard in and out of the plaza.

In contrast, District 26 state Senator Joe Pennacchio, a Montville resident, has vivid memories of 9/11 as a "beautiful Tuesday morning with crystal-clear skies."

Working at the time in his dental practice, where they had no television, Pennacchio and his staff heard reports of an airplane hitting the North Tower.

"When the second plane hit, we knew instantaneously the world was going to change. On a dime," he said.

Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi was working in Newark at the time and did not think much of an initial radio report of the first plane hitting the North Tower while driving to work on Route 280.

Shortly later, she was on Orange Street in Newark when she saw the smoke billowing from the towers.

"I didn't even realize you could see the World Trade Center from Orange Street until then," Grossi said.

Pennacchio also was a freshman in the New Jersey Assembly at the time.

"I called but there wasn't much we could do but pray," he said, adding "You've got to keep this alive because of the dark side of human nature. It's gonna happen again."

Hanzel also remembered the five other Montville victims of 9/11, including Port Authority Police Chief James Romito. Gayle Green, Thomas Linehan, Paul Skrzypek and DennisTaormina completed the 9/11 memorial list.

Community contributions

VFW Post 5481 steered a community fund-raising project over the past year to pay for the new granite replicas of the fallen Twin Towers. More than 50 individuals, families and local businesses contributed to the cause.

"I can't believe how fast we were able to raise that money," Deputy Mayor Frank Cooney said.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Montville NJ marks 9/11 anniversary with twin tower memorial