We Remember

Twenty-five years ago, the Mountain Lakes and Boonton community, like countless others across the nation, was shaken by the tragic loss of life on Sept. 11, 2001.  

In Mountain Lakes, locals can pay their respects at a beautiful memorial rock with the inscription “For Those Who Died, For Those Who Cried, We Will Remember.” Set at Birchwood Lake, the water serves as a tranquil background. The rock is surrounded by flowers and trees in a circular formation. Facing the memorial are two benches, each engraved with the names of Mountain Lakes residents who were lost: David Alan James Rathkey and Alayne Friedenreich Gentul. Visitors can sit at the benches and take in the peaceful view.  

The memorial was designed and built by a local 9/11 Memorial Committee chaired by former mayor and councilman Jud Breslin. Dedicated on the third anniversary of 9/11, it’s a solemn tribute to tragic loss. The beautiful space is maintained by The Garden Club of Mountain Lakes.  

In Boonton Township, a memorial was built on Powerville Road at the RVA - Johanson Memorial Fields (Rockaway Valley Aerodrome Fields). Made with steel from the World Trade Center, the memorial features the inscription “Dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. On the 10th anniversary of 9/11, we honor our residents and pledge to never forget.” 

The names of those lost from Mountain Lakes, Boonton, and Boonton Township—Angela Kyte, Cecile Caguicla, Vincent Gallucci, Gentul, and Rathkey—are etched into the stone. Benches were donated by the employees of RFL Electronics Inc, creating a place to sit and pay respects. The Boonton Township municipal department maintains the grounds of the memorial. 

The Morris County 9/11 Memorial in Parsippany-Troy Hills sits at 460 Hanover Avenue and is the largest of the three local memorials. Dedicated to all Morris County residents lost on 9/11 (including those from Mountain Lakes and Boonton Township), it serves as the location of an annual ceremony. 

Designed by sculptor Jeff Brandner, the memorial consists of WTC steel on a circular concrete base. Surrounded by a pool of flowing water, it features four bridges, benches, plaques, and paintings built into the design. Pieces of United Airlines Flight 93 and soil from the Pentagon are incorporated into the memorial, as well as plaques with 64 Morris County residents’ names set into the base. All victims of 9/11 are represented on red pavers that surround the monument, a touching tribute.  

Keeping Memories Alive

Vincent M. Vitale, Morris County Director of Communications & Digital Media Director and John Bonanni, Morris County Administrator, provide more details on the memorial. “The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, now the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, and then-Morris County Administrator James Rosenberg, initiated efforts to construct a Morris County 9/11 Memorial just days after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001,” says Bonanni. 

“Then Freeholder Jack Shrier and former Freeholder Pat Maynard worked together on the memorial,” says Vitale. “Freeholder John Murphy became involved, as did Diana Vance, a Management Specialist within the Administrator's Office, who handled logistics,” he says.  

On a plaque at the memorial is a thank you to all who dedicated time and services, including Dewberry, RBA Group, Inc., Zorab Vosganian & Associates, Suburban Consulting Engineers, Morris Johnson Associates, Liberty Lighting Group, If It’s Water and Statewide Striping. 

Since 2003, an annual ceremony is held at the memorial. “The ceremonies have generally been scheduled each year on a Sunday that is closest to the actual Sept. 11 anniversary date, not a workday, so that residents may be free to attend,” says Vitale. 

The 25th Anniversary Morris County 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony will be held Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at the memorial. “Keynote remarks will be delivered by Dennis Letts, a retired United States Secret Service executive and Tunnel to Towers Foundation ambassador who was at the World Trade Center in New York City when terrorists carried out the attacks on 9/11,” says Vitale.  

The ceremony will begin with a procession of first responders and IS Naval Sea Cadet Corps members from Picatinny Arsenal, veterans, and other dignitaries.  Musical tributes will be featured by the Morris County Library. 

“Performances by Darren O’Neill and fellow musicians, the Morris Choral Society and the Police Pipes and Drums of Morris County; an invocation by Rev. Herman Scott of Calvary Baptist Church and chaplain of the Morris County Correctional Facility; a candlelight vigil and reading of the names of the 64 Morris County residents who perished in the attacks; and a 21-gun salute followed by the playing of Taps by a bugler from Bugles Across America are part of the ceremony,” says Vitale. 

Vitale organizes the public portion of the annual ceremony under the direction of Morris County Administrator Deena Leary and Assistant Administrator Brian T. Murray. Vitale is thankful. “We are grateful for the support from numerous County departments and divisions, as well as local first responders and public safety agencies,” he says. 

Added to the grounds this year is a plaque featuring poetry by Mark Viglione, son of Parsippany-Troy Hills Township resident Loretta Viglione. “The poem was written about her brother, FDNY firefighter Tommy Sabella, who died trying to save people at the Twin Towers,” says Vitale.  

Vitale continues, “The Morris County Board of County Commissioners, led by Director Stephen H. Shaw, Deputy Director John Krickus and Commissioners Christine Myers, Doug Cabana, Tom Mastrangelo, Tayfun Selen and Deb Smith, oversees the execution of the program and coordinates the reading of the names.”  

Cabana, who also serves as Boonton Township Administrator, is humbled by the ceremony. “Hosting this annual Morris County ceremony over the past 25 years with my board colleagues has been one of the greatest honors of my public service,” he says. “ Having grown up in Boonton Township, this remembrance is deeply personal. On the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, we will honor all 2,977 victims, including our neighbors from Morris County and my hometown whose lives were taken far too soon. I am humbled to know many of the first responders from our county who answered the call in the aftermath of the attacks. Their dedication and sacrifice continue to inspire us, and I am proud Morris County remains committed to ensuring the events of Sept. 11 are never forgotten.” 

Director Shaw reflects on the importance of the annual ceremony, “This annual remembrance honors the memory of Morris County residents lost, alongside the 403 first responders who perished and all those still enduring long-term health effects,” he says. “We gather also to salute the courage of our first responders and the veterans who went on to serve in the conflicts that followed. Their bravery showcased the resilient character of a nation united in defending our way of life. We have a collective duty to pass down an accurate record of these events. Concurrent with the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence, this ceremony stands as a testament to our history, our patriotism, and our commitment to never forget,” says Shaw.  

Seating is limited at the ceremony; bringing lawn chairs is recommended. Attendees may park at the Morris County Department of Human Services offices at 340 West Hanover Avenue, Morris Township, with shuttle service provided. The 9/11 ceremony will also be live-streamed on Facebook: facebook.com/share/19AqWm3TEx/   

Take a moment to attend a local ceremony or sit quietly at one of the memorials in the township or county this Sept. 11 to pay tribute to our local residents who were tragically lost 25 years ago. 

Mountain Lakes, Boonton and Boonton Township honor Angela Kyte, Cecile Caguicla, Vincent Gallucci, Alayne Gentul and David Rathkey. In the words of the poet Virgil: “No day shall erase you from the memory of time.” 

Photographs by Antonietta Henry

Antonietta Henry is a wife, mother of four and owner of Antonietta Henry Photography in Pompton Plains. She enjoys exploring and learning more about towns throughout her home state of New Jersey.