Caldwell Students Honor the Victims of 9/11 With Memorial Service

West Essex Regional Schools observed the 13th Anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with a special memorial ceremony at the memorial garden at the high school, a moment of silence and special lessons in social studies to educate students about this tragic event in our country’s history.

West Essex Orchestra Director Alex Soares and several high school musicians began the ceremony by playing George Gershwin’s “Lullaby” which was broadcast over the high school intercom. High School Principal Gary Suda then made remarks over the loudspeaker at 8:46 a.m.

“This marks the 13th anniversary of 9/11,” he said. “On September 11, 2001, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attached by an international terrorist organization known as Al Quaeda. On that fateful Tuesday morning, 19 Al Quaeda terrorists hijacked four United States commercial airplanes with the intent to use them as weapons against American civilians.

“Over 3,000 people of all races and nationalities, almost 700 of whom were from New Jersey, were killed in the attacks. At West Essex, we call attention each year and honor the memories of West Essex Graduates John P. Salamone and Norman Rosinow who also were lost on that horrible day.”

Principal Suda then asked students and staff to observe a moment of silence in honor of their memory.
Suda then carried a September 11 red, white and blue flower arrangement to the West Essex 9/11 Memorial Garden, which he place in the center of the garden in front of the flagpole and Memorial plaque. He was accompanied by West Essex Superintendent of Schools Barbara Longo, Student Council President Kristina Soriano, Senior Class President Stephanie Spero, Junior Class President Evan Snerson, Sophomore Class President Nicholas Cerrigone and Freshman Class President Dorothy He.

The flowers were dedicated to the memory of all who died on September 11, 2001.

The garden was created by 2014 West Essex High School graduate Greg Contaldi as part of his Eagle Scout project.
“I am glad our students have the opportunity to reflect on something that happened before they were old enough to remember,” said West Essex Superintendent of Schools Barbara Longo said following the ceremony. “Our students were too little to remember it. It is really history for them and we must continue this tradition so they don’t forget.”

Mrs. Longo said she remembers the events of Sept. 11, 2001 like they occurred yesterday. “I feel like they just happened,” she said, adding that the high school seniors were in preschool in 2001 and all of our other students were even younger.
“I think it is nice that we are doing something to commemorate it, since we have alumni who perished on September 11th,” said Senior Class President Stephanie Spero. “It is nice to have a computer lab named for Joseph P. Salamone.”

“9/1l hits home for a lot of people,” said Junior Class President Evan Snerson. “This is a great way to show our respect.”
West Essex Middle School also observed a moment of silence at 8:48 a.m. Middle School Principal Vee Popat played a recording of “Taps” by the United States Marine Band “The President’s Own” over the intercom. “For the students sitting in our school right now -- the eighth graders were newborns and infants...the seventh graders were not yet born,” Mr. Popat said.

“For all of us who are here today, regardless of age, September 11, 2011 changed our lives forever. Ask any adult in the building where they were at 8:46 a.m. on 9/11 and they can tell you with great clarity exactly what they were doing at that moment,” Popat added. “It is our generation’s Pearl Harbor...an event that altered our definition of “normalcy” on so many levels. As time passes, the importance of remembering 9/11 increases...we must never forget the lives that were lost on that terrible day.”

Students also learned about September 11 during their social studies classes in both schools.

Pictured from left to right, High School Principal Gary Suda, Sophomore Class President Nicholas Cerigone of North Caldwell, Junior Class President Evan Snerson of North Caldwell, Senior Class President Stephanie Spero of Roseland, Student Council President Kristina Soriano of Fairfield, Freshman Class President Dorothy He of Roseland and Superintendent of Schools Barbara Longo.

Article and photo courtesy of Allison Freeman.