BEACHWOOD – Bette Mastropasqua recalled taking a photo of the Twin Towers on September 8, 2001, when her cruise ship was coming into port. The sun was shining between the buildings, giving it an epic quality.
You’ve probably seen the photo yourself. You might have even shared it on social media on the 20th anniversary of the attacks. Even celebrities like Kim Kardashian have shared it. The photo is worldwide but it was taken by a local.
Mastropasqua was working as the Borough Clerk in Town Hall when the attacks happened. When the first plane hit, like so many of us, she thought about how it was a tragic accident. Then, the second plane hit and the realization dawned that this was a terrorist attack.
She remembered the photos she had taken and on September 13, 2001, she emailed it to all 566 municipal clerks in the state. In 2008, she put it on Facebook, and it took off from there.
But it’s more than just a photo, she said. It’s an image of what we lost.
High school graduates weren’t even born when the attacks happened. So, in order to make sure they learn about the recent past, the photo was enlarged and donated to the fire department so that it can always be on display.
“Education is important. The children need to be taught the lesson of 9/11,” she said.
Person Of The Year
The fire department was on hand for the photo dedication. They were also there to show off a new truck they got. But there was another reason they were there, which was a secret to one of them.
The borough announces a Person of the Year based on their contributions to the residents. Their name is put on a placard so that everyone driving on Route 9 can see it.
Mayor Ron Roma led from the photo dedication to this announcement, saying that this person had worked at Ground Zero after the attacks, and in Seaside after Superstorm Sandy. This is when he announced that firefighter Dennis Allen was Person of the Year.
“I’m humbled,” Allen said, clearly surprised. He talked about what it was like first coming to Beachwood. “We moved to town and just fell in love with it. We wanted to be part of it.”
And obviously, Beachwood was better off that they did become part of it. Township officials all took a turn thanking him for his service, and mentioning how he never asks for recognition for his good deeds.
“It was very hard to keep this a secret,” said his son, Dennis Allen Jr. “Just when I thought I was catching up to you and I might fill your shoes, you give me more space. I can’t tell you how proud I am. I love you, Dad.”
New Fire Truck
Residents took the time to check out the Volunteer Fire Company’s new fire truck outside Borough Hall.
Chief Roger Hull said the new truck recently took its maiden voyage to a fire on Ocean Avenue. It had actually arrived back in January, but it takes months to test and train on it. It took even longer to buy.
It was a ten-year process to replace an older truck which is now 31 years old. Every year, the town would set aside some money until the $650,000 total was reached, he said.
“We know the mayor and council supports us and have the foresight to help us get what we need,” he said.
Beachwood is just about built out, but the needs of the community have changed. It’s no longer little bungalows. There are now strip malls, two schools, and larger homes than before. Therefore, they needed a truck that could answer those challenges.
Since the borough has a truck that can respond to any building in town, residents will see a better rating from their homeowners’ insurance, he said.
Now that this truck has hit the streets, it’s time to start planning the replacement of their 2004 and 2005 trucks, Hull said.
