Mayor Losardo’s Message from the Township’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
We remember the nearly 3,000 innocent men and women who were murdered 21 years ago, on September 11, 2001, in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
Three fellow residents were among the victims, each a life cut short.
- James Walsh, a computer programmer for Cantor Fitzgerald, had left his then 2-year-old daughter, Caroline, at home that morning, on her birthday, for work on the 104th floor of One World Trade when it was struck by a hijacked airplane. James was the “fun uncle,” a warm and funny man with a big heart who wasn’t afraid to show it. James was just 37 years old when he died.
- Matthew Horning worked in data management for Marsh & McLennan, a financial services firm, on the 95th floor of the North Tower. Matthew was preparing to propose to his girlfriend in the weeks preceding 9/11, and had asked his father for advice about an engagement ring. Matthew wanted to marry, have children, a big old sloppy dog and a good book to read on the beach. Matthew’s mother, Diane, who spends time here throughout the year to feel closer to Matthew, shared that he was a caring and giving man, resourceful and inventive, even as a child, who loved animals “for the unconditional love they gave.” Matthew was just 26 years old when he died.
- Mark David Rothenberg, was traveling on business on United Airlines Flight 93. Mark had planned to make a connecting flight to Taiwan, but his plane was hijacked by terrorists who intended to crash the plane into the U.S. Capitol. Passengers and flight attendants, however, learned of the suicide attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon by other aircraft and challenged the hijackers. United Flight 93 crashed into a field in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania during a struggle for control of the plane. Mark was 52 years old when he died.
Scotch Plains Township continues to mourn with the families and friends of Mark, Matthew and James.
We remember them and that terrible day to keep their memories alive, to help those of us who lived through the attacks a renewed opportunity to continue healing from the horror and confusion of that day and to teach those of us who are too young to remember.
We do so right here, at the Scotch Plains 9/11 Memorial, which was organized and funded by fellow residents and dedicated in 2011. This site, which includes steel from the World Trade Center, provides a proper place to sit and reflect, as Mrs. Horning regularly does.
The Memorial’s motto is “For Those Who Died and Those Who Survived” and, I think, our town’s annual service lives up to this message.
Fellow residents, first responders, community leaders: We are the survivors of 9/11 and we are doing our duty by gathering, honoring and remembering all those who senselessly died that terrible day.
We are doing what is necessary to ensure that the horrors of that day are better understood so that our country never experiences another day like September 11, 2001.
For this, we pray together and pledge once again that we never forget.
