SOMERSET — Fire Chief Jamison Barros and Police Chief Todd Costa are pleased to share that a memorial was dedicated over the weekend to those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.
On Saturday, Sept. 11 Honor Guards and members of the Somerset Fire and Police Departments gathered at the Public Safety Complex in observance of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and to dedicate a new memorial.
Chief Barros served as the Master of Ceremonies for the event, which included words of remembrance by Board of Selectman Chair Lorne Lawless and Somerset resident and Location Coordinator of Wreaths Across America George Andes. Father David Costa of St. Thomas More Parish delivered the invocation and Somerset Fire Lt. Jerry Cunha recited the Firefighters Prayer.
Somerset’s new 9/11 memorial was then unveiled and dedicated by Somerset Fire Lt. William Rodriques followed by a wreath laying by police, fire and communications personnel.
The memorial consists of four granite pillars that represent the locations of the attacks. The pillars were constructed using 343 individual granite tiles, which represent the 343 New York City firefighters who died on 9/11. The pillars surround a steal I-beam recovered from the World Trade Center site and a single granite stone inscribed with the words “We will never forget” centered on the beam.
The memorial was designed by Lt. Rodriques’s wife, Caroline, and constructed by Somerset firefighters.
“It was special for us to be able to unveil and dedicate this memorial on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks,” Chief Barros said. “I’d like to commend all of our firefighters who assisted in constructing the memorial. On behalf of the department, I also extend my deepest gratitude to Caroline Rodriques for her work designing the memorial.”
A rifle volley and sounding of a final alarm closed out the ceremony.
“The new memorial honors the heroic actions of first responders and is a meaningful piece that pays tribute to the lives lost that day,” Chief Costa said. “Thank you to everyone who joined us in remembrance on Saturday.”
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