Evening of Remembrance attended by thousands

JERRY WOLKOWITZ The Rumson Children’s Chorus, featuring students from the borough’s Deane-Porter School and Forrest Dale School, and the Rumson Country Day School, perform “God Bless the U.S.A.” at the Evening of Remembrance program Oct. 11 at Victory Park in Rumson.

RUMSON — One month after the catastrophic events of Sept. 11 changed our lives forever, many in the borough took time out to reflect and take part in an Evening of Remembrance ceremony.

"Our resolve is strong; our flag still waves," proclaimed David Shinn, a member of the Rumson Fire Department.

Shinn served as the master of ceremonies for the service held last week at the borough’s Victory Park, West Front Street, and attended by many borough and area residents.

As with many other area communities, the borough lost a number of residents at last month’s attack on the World Trade Center and, to honor the missing and their family, friends, and neighbors, the borough planted a crimson crown maple tree in the park, accompanied by a plaque acknowledging the loss, Mayor Charles Callman said.

JERRY WOLKOWITZ Ainsley Robertson, 9, a fourth-grader at the Forrest Dale School, shows her patriotic spirit while waiting to perform with the Rumson Children’s Chorus at the Evening of Remembrance program on Oct. 1 at Victory Park, Rumson.

"One month ago today a terrible event shook the world," Callman said. "We in Rumson felt the tremors."

The planting of a tree seemed appropriate, he said, symbolizing new hope and growth. And, he said, the borough’s Parks Department was given orders to "water that tree carefully."

In addition to remembering those whose lives were lost, the ceremony honored all the volunteers and professionals who participated in the rescue and recovery efforts and assisted locally, Callman said.

The mayor specifically noted the efforts of the borough’s police, fire department, and first aid members "for the outstanding job," he said.

The borough’s police chief, Edward Rumolo, and Detective Lt. Daniel Petrucelli assisted the New York City Medical Examiner, and Mark Burdge, who serves as the borough’s EMS captain, spent a number of days in New York, Callman said.

Borough police and members of the first aid squad and fire department were also on hand in the Highlands to help those arriving by commuter ferry.

"We thank them all," Callman said.

A number of local clergy spoke, along with the mayor, offering their prayers and inspirational messages to the large crowd.

"We pray for peace in our world, in our nation, and in our struggling hearts," said the Rev. Kevin Kellen, of Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church.

"People of all faiths, of blended faiths, of no particular faith have come together," observed the Rev. John Monroe, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Rumson.

"We do remember and we are one," Monroe said, noting the support of each other and the spirit of community.

"Those who sow in tears will reap in joy," contributed Rabbi Harry Levin of Congregation B’nai Israel of Rumson.

Levin also insisted that we will move from "fear to hope, from despair to trust."

The prayers and comments by the speakers were punctuated by several patriotic musical interludes by the Rumson Children’s Chorus, consisting of students from the borough’s Forrest Dale, Deane-Porter, and Rumson Country Day schools. The staging area was draped with a large red, white and blue banner containing personal messages and signatures of approximately 1,000 students from Forrest Dale and Deane-Porter.

The tree was donated by Steve Becker of Becker’s Tree Service, West Long Branch, and the plaque was made available through the Rumson Cub Scout Pack 11, according to Callman.

Rumolo said he estimated the crowd at the ceremony to be between 2,000 and 3,000 participants.

The chief also took the opportunity to commend the job of the force.

"Our guys were outstanding," he said.

"I thought I’d be crying long before this," commented Shinn about the ceremony.