South Brunswick First Responders Gather to Remember 9/11

At a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, first responders, veterans, locals, and local authorities met at the South Brunswick Township Municipal Building on Friday morning.

The Remembrance Fountain at 540 Ridge Road hosted the event, which started at 11 a.m. Veterans organizations, local politicians, citizens, and personnel of the township's fire, police, EMS, and rescue departments were all present for the ceremony. The Viking Marching Band from South Brunswick High School took part in the event as well.

An invocation and closing prayer, speeches from local leaders, the reading of names, the laying of wreaths, an Honor Guard processional with bagpipes, and a moment of silence were all part of the service. God Bless America, Taps, and the National Anthem were played by the high school marching band.

Mukul K. Agarwal of Kendall Park, Kenneth Charles Ledee of Monmouth Junction, Jeffrey Robinson of Monmouth Junction, and Toyena C. Skinner of Kingston were the four South Brunswick citizens who were slain in the attacks. During the ceremony, their names were read by Deputy Mayor Ken Bierman.

Four wreaths were laid in memory of the deceased by members of the township's fire, police, emergency medical services, and rescue teams. During the wreath-laying, Lt. William Merkler played the bagpipes.

Fire officials also considered the ongoing relationship between the emergency services community and the events on September 11. The Kendall Park Fire Company's Chief Chris Perez discussed the duty of today's firefighters to honor the firefighters, police, and paramedics that responded that day.