The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey held a solemn dedication ceremony on September 8, 2026 at Liberty Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. The new memorial honors the agency’s employees who gave their lives in both World Trade Center tragedies – the four workers killed in the February 1993 bombing and the 84 who perished on September 11, 2001.
Among the 84 fallen were 37 members of the Port Authority Police Department, marking the largest single‑event loss of life for any police force in United States history. The monument also lists the names of agency staff who later became ill or died while working on the massive post‑9/11 recovery effort.
Family, colleagues and officials gather to remember
Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia addressed the crowd, saying, “With the dedication of this memorial, our Port Authority colleagues, friends and family members now have a special place in our home to come and remember those who are no longer with us. To remember the acts of bravery and selflessness that saved countless others.”
Family members, former coworkers, first‑responder groups and local officials stood together, reflecting the deep community ties that have long surrounded the Port Authority’s workforce. The ceremony underscored the agency’s ongoing commitment to honoring its fallen and supporting the families of those who served.
Funding and purpose of the memorial
The memorial was commissioned by the World Trade Center Memorial Fund, a nonprofit organization that raises money for college scholarships in the name of individuals who lost their lives on September 11. Proceeds from the fund help provide educational opportunities for the children and grandchildren of first‑responders and other victims.
By placing the names of the fallen and the ill on a single, permanent structure, the Port Authority aims to create a lasting place of reflection for current employees, their families, and the broader public. The site offers a quiet space within the bustling park where visitors can pause, read the names, and contemplate the sacrifices made in the name of public safety.
Community impact and future remembrance
Local leaders praised the dedication as a meaningful addition to Liberty Park, a historic waterfront area that already serves as a gathering place for residents and tourists alike. The memorial reinforces the park’s role as a site of remembrance, complementing existing World Trade Center tribute installations across the region.
Port Authority officials indicated that the dedication is part of a broader effort to preserve the memory of those who served the agency and the nation. Future plans include educational programming and guided tours that will highlight the stories behind each name, ensuring that new generations understand the cost of protecting the public.
As the sun set over the Hudson River, the newly unveiled monument stood illuminated, a testament to the courage, sacrifice, and enduring spirit of the Port Authority’s men and women who faced danger in the line of duty.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
