West Orange, N.J. – On Friday, more than 300 community members assembled at Lookout Point on Eagle Rock Reservation to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The gathering honored the nearly 3,000 lives lost nationwide and specifically remembered the 57 Essex County residents who were on the job that morning and never came back.
Personal stories bring the tragedy home
Among those present was Megan Tsitsoulas, whose mother, Antoinette Dugar, was one of the county’s victims. “I was only eight years old and I feel for people that were not even around during that time to have them come here to know what we went through as a family — and not just us, the whole world, it changed everyone’s life forever,” Tsitsoulas said.
Tsitsoulas explained that her family views the annual service at Lookout Point as a vital way to keep the memory alive for younger generations, especially since the reservation offers a clear view of Ground Zero.
Officials and first‑responders join the remembrance
Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of education. “We have to get that generation just to make sure that they never forget, that they learn about this in school, which is the most important thing,” he said.
Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones reminded attendees of the everyday heroism of law‑enforcement officers. “Heroes don’t arrive wearing capes, they arrive wearing uniforms,” he noted.
United Airlines flight attendant Deborah Calimano spoke on behalf of pilots and flight attendants who lost their lives. “We remember the pilots and the flight attendants, we remember the passengers, we remember every innocent life lost,” she said.
The first New Jersey memorial and its lasting impact
The Eagle Rock Reservation memorial was the first such site completed in New Jersey after the attacks. The state lost nearly 750 residents, and participants stressed the need to ensure that future generations understand the magnitude of the tragedy.
Throughout the ceremony, a moment of silence was observed, and families placed flowers and personal mementos at the base of the monument. The event concluded with a collective tribute, underscoring the enduring impact of Sept. 11 on the community.
Looking ahead
Organizers hope the service will continue to serve as a place of solemn reflection and education. By inviting schools and youth groups to the reservation, they aim to keep the lessons of that day alive for decades to come.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
