‘It’s still hard, even 22 years later.’ Essex County remembers 9/11 victims at memorial
Eagle Rock Reservation’s 9/11 memorial in West Orange was dedicated in 2002 and has expanded over the years since then.
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Community members, first responders and loved ones gathered Monday to pay tribute at Essex County’s 9/11 Memorial in West Orange for the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Among the thousands of people killed that day, 750 were residents of New Jersey. During the ceremony, the names of the 57 Essex County residents who lost their lives were read. Organizers say it’s a tradition that will continue for years to come.
The memorial, located at Eagle Rock Reservation, was dedicated in 2002 and has expanded over the years since then. This is one of the few memorials in the country that lists all the names of the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on 9/11.
Megan Duger said she lost her mother, Antoinette Duger, on 9/11. She says she was 8 years old when the attacks happened.
"It's still hard, even 22 years later. I just turned 30. And my 30th was very emotional because she's not here,” Duger said.
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"When I have children, I will definitely bring them every year and tell them about their grandmother and all the people that lost their lives on that horrible day. I think it's very important for our country,” she said.
County officials say chamber music will play at the memorial until 8 p.m.
