A Solemn Night to Mark Sept. 11 Anniversary

On Sept. 11, 2001, Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna said he recalled standing at Riverside Gardens Park and watching smoke billow on the horizon. Now, ten years later, the skies are clear, but the emotion of that day and the days immediately following will forever linger.

It was there, at the Front Street park, that thousands gathered, some borough residents, some from out of town, just to be together. Flowers and small memorials to the fallen were erected along the park’s brick wall, where they remained for an entire year before being removed. Now, just two remain, permanent memorials to the two Red Bank residents who died in the terrorist attacks: Mark Hemschoot, 45, and Brendan Lang, 30.

Though time has passed, several elected officials reminded the crowd, the need for community, for unity, has not.