Ocean County Remembers September 11, 2001

A wreath is placed at the Ocean County Sept. 11 Memorial located at the Ocean County Administration Complex, Hooper Avenue, Toms River. Pictured from left to right are Ocean County Surrogate Jeffrey W. Moran, Ocean County Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little, Congressman Tom MacArthur and Freeholder Virginia E. Haines. (Photo courtesy Ocean County)

TOMS RIVER – It was 17 years ago today that the US suffered the devastating September 11 attacks to the World Trade Center. This was an event that rocked the entire nation, and we vowed to “never forget.”

Ocean County officials, accompanied by Congressman Tom MacArthur, remembered this day in history with a wreath laying ceremony today at the Ocean County’s Sept. 11 Memorial at the Ocean County Administration Complex in downtown Toms River.

Ocean County Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little, Freeholder Virginia E. Haines, Surrogate Jeffrey Moran, Clerk Scott Colabella, Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy, and Congressman MacArthur were present at the event to honor the memories of 21 Ocean County residents that were lost on September 11, 2001.

Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Investigator Nicole Tamburro, surrounded by Ocean County elected officials, sings the Star Spangled Banner at Ocean County’s annual Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony. Presenting the colors are the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Color Guard. (Photo courtesy Ocean County)

The events of that day took the lives of nearly 3,000 individuals at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon, and Flight 93. Today, 21 of that 3,000 were honored by those close to home.

County officials placed a wreath near the War on Terror monument, which lists the names of honorable Ocean County residents who have been lost while fighting the War on Terror. The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Color Guard presented the colors and Sheriff’s Investigator Nicole Tamburro performed the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America during the event.