This is New Jersey: 9/11 Memorial Mount Mitchill, Atlantic Highlands

Photo by John

Of the 2, 595 lives lost in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on 9/11, 674 were New Jersey residents.  147 of them lived in Monmouth County where this monument was erected in 2005 at the top of Mount Mitchill in Atlantic Highlands, overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

The monument centers around a sculpture of an eagle flying away from Ground Zero by artist Franco Minervini. In its talons it clutches a piece of a steel beam from one of the World Trade Center towers.  The memorial actually has three symbolic components.  In addition to the Eagle sculpture there is a time-line walkway to recollect the day’s events and a stone base carved with the names, ages and hometowns of the county residents who lost their lives.

It is one of those places you have to visit, sit and remember.  My son was only 4 months old on 9/11.  This is a place I will take him to help him understand the impact of that day on the lives of so many innocent people and their families.  Our prayers are with all of them today and every day.  God Bless.

“This is New Jersey” is our Saturday “way of life” feature bringing you images of New Jersey that may be new to you or at least a reminder of all that is wonderful about New Jersey.  We welcome submissions from photographers and amateur photographers, so please send us your photos.