(NEWARK)—Governor James E. McGreevey announced today the events scheduled to
commemorate the tragedies of September 11th.
“The events of September 11th
shattered our domestic tranquility and threatened us all,” said McGreevey.
“Our neighbors died. Our buildings fell. On America’s second day of
infamy, tragedy struck our nation as terrorists attacked the twin towers of
the World Trade Center and Washington and brought a flight originating from
Newark down in a Pennsylvania field.”
On the evening of Thursday, September 5th,
the Governor and First Lady Dina Matos McGreevey will host a private reception
at Drumthwacket for the families of victims of September 11th. On
Tuesday, September 10th, from 7 – 9 p.m. a Candlelight Vigil
Memorial Service will be held at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. This
event is closed to the press and all members of the media are asked to respect
the wishes of the victims’ families at the vigil.
“The input we have received from victims’
families have indicated an overwhelming desire for the State of New Jersey to
recognize and honor each New Jerseyan whose life was lost in the attacks,”
said McGreevey. “The vigil will abide by this sentiment. We will light a
candle and conduct a reading of the names in honor of each New Jersey victim.”
On September 11th, Governor
McGreevey will take part in the commemoration services at Ground Zero, along
with the victims’ families. “On the morning of September 11th, we
are providing transportation for all New Jersey families who wish to attend
the memorial services at Ground Zero,” said McGreevey. “We will ensure the
security and convenience of all families attending the ceremony.”
Attendees will leave from the Liberty
Science Center and ferry to Lower Manhattan at 7:00 a.m. NY Waterways is
providing ferry service to the buses free-of-charge. Those who do not wish to
drive directly to Liberty State Park will be provided with complimentary bus
transportation to the Park by New Jersey Transit. There will be park-and-ride
pickup locations at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford and at the PNC Bank Arts
Center in Holmdel. Lunch will be provided by the Red Cross upon return to
Liberty State Park.
Governor McGreevey is also asking all
houses of worship in New Jersey to ring their bells in commemoration of the
moments that each hijacked plane took the lives of so many innocent victims.
The first two planes - which would eventually destroy the World Trade Center -
struck the Twin Towers at 8:46 a.m. and 9:03 a.m. Flight 77 struck the
Pentagon at 9:43 a.m. and flight 93, which originated out of Newark, was
brought down in a Pennsylvania field at 10:10 a.m.
At 5:30 p.m. on September 11th,
there will be a concert at the Trenton War Memorial by The Orchestra of St.
Peter By the Sea conducted by The Reverend Alphonse Stephenson. The
performance will salute our nation’s history and proud intent to remain free
from fear and compromise. A highlight of the concert will be the debut of
“Patriot’s Vision”- a musical compilation of Americana orhestra. Governor
McGreevey will serve as narrator for the performance.
At 7 p.m. on September 11th,
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with Thirteen/WNET, Johnson
& Johnson, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, and Governor McGreevey, will
present a free outdoor performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem at
Liberty State Park beginning at 7:00pm. Also featured in the performance will
be the Westminster Symphonic Choir and guest soloists Dolora Zajick, Salvatore
Licitra and Samuel Ramey. The NJSO’s Music Director Emeritus, Zdenek Macal,
will conduct this powerful and poignant performance. Conducted in connection
with memorial observances being held throughout the Metropolitan Area, this
special event is intended to create a solemn occasion for reflection and
remembrance. It is also an opportunity to seek comfort in a performance of
one of the most moving musical works ever composed. The concert is being
recorded by Thirteen/WNET and will be broadcast nationwide by PBS at 10:00pm
that evening.
“The intent of both of these concerts is
to reach beyond words in expressing our emotions and to utilize the miracle of
music to touch our hearts and minds,” said McGreevey. ”Only time’s healing
touch and a continued outpouring of compassion and support can ease the
profound suffering that has been inflicted upon our fellow citizens.”
The State
is also planning a permanent memorial to honor the 691 New Jerseyans who lost
their lives on September 11th. “As with every stage of the
commemoration planning, I have respectfully requested the input of victims’
families as we develop this vital project,” said McGreevey. “We will ensure
that the permanent memorial reflects the wishes of New Jersey’s families who
lost loved ones on September 11th. We look forward to working in
conjunction with the victims’ families as we build a memorial that is both
meaning and lasting.”
In the
coming months, there will be a series of open forums during which victims’
families will continue to have an opportunity to offer suggestions for the
location and design of the permanent memorial. In an effort to make these
forums as productive and as open as possible, Governor McGreevey is forming an
advisory group of September 11th families who wish to be involved
in the development of the memorial.
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