9/16/2010

http://nbs.gmnews.com/news/2010-09-16/Front_Page/Nine_years_later_pain_still_exists.html

The Middlesex County Police & Fire Pipes & Drums play during the Sept. 11 Ceremony held by North Brunswick Township on Saturday. JENNIFER AMATO NORTH BRUNSWICK — Glenn Kirwin worked on the 105th floor of the North Tower in the World Trade Center for Cantor Fitzgerald. An athlete and triathlon competitor, he had a strong physique and should have been able to withstand almost anything. However, he lost his life during the tragic terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, trapped on a floor above the plane’s impact. During the town’s annual Sept. 11 ceremony, Glenn’s cousin, North Brunswick Township Councilman Robert Davis, read a letter written by Glenn’s father, Paul. He mentioned how Glenn’s 10-year-old so, Miles, said at the time of Glenn’s murder, “Pa, it’s OK to cry” — and Paul did cry. Paul said how he has continued to cry over the years: when Miles’ and Troy’s mother, Joan, would dress them in Glenn’s ties for special occasions; when the boys were presented with Glenn’s cuff links and ties for prom; when Miles began training for a triathlon and took down his father’s bike to recondition it. “It’s a day that we wish we didn’t have to be here, but we do,” Davis said about honoring the lives of the nearly 3,000 people killed nine years ago in New York City, in Shanksville, Pa., and at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. To reflect on all of the lives lost that fateful day, several township and county dignitaries were on hand, as well as Linwood Middle School, the North Brunswick Township High School Choral Group, the North Brunswick Honor Guard, the Middlesex County Police & Fire Pipes & Drums, and members of the township police department, volunteer fire department and volunteer rescue squad. “September 11 created heroes and continues to create heroes,” Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack said, referencing the New York Police Department and Fire Department of New York, while acknowledging the township’s own emergency service personnel. “Every call for them is a call for courage. We are a community blessed to have these heroes in our lives.” Among the touching dedications were the placing of wreaths in front of the memorial on Hermann Road, the lighting of candles while a bell tolled, the presentation of a flag from the Middlesex County Traumatic Loss Coalition from Linwood Middle School to the mayor, and the presentation of the Flag of Heroes from North Brunswick Township High School to personnel from the town’s police, fire and rescue squad organizations. Members of the North Brunswick Youth Council then read the poem “9-11-2001” by Don Buzney.

“Nine years later, the community of North Brunswick gathers with pride as we grow stronger as Americans as we hold the memories of the nearly 3,000 lives we lost that day,” said Sept. 11th Committee member Lou Ann Benson. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12th District) said there is still more owed to those who lost their lives. Our rail system needs to be reinforced, cargo needs to be screened at a 100 percent rate, and the no-fly list needs to target the correct suspects instead of innocent citizens. Also, Davis spoke with Holt about the Kirwins being one of 1,100 families who have not had a proper burial for their lost family members because their cremates are still located at the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is being summoned to change this, to no avail, Davis said. “There is some consolation of coming together as a community,” Holt said, “and we should, from this struggle … remind ourselves of the freedoms we cherish.”