Scotch Plains Commemorates Those It Lost

Scotch Plains marked the 10th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, with a moving candlelight dedication ceremony Sunday night on the on Park Avenue. The service drew more than 600 people and introduced a monument that included a 10-foot section of steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center and three benches in memory of the three Scotch Plains residents who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks.

Family members representing Matthew Horning, James Walsh and Mark Rothenberg all spoke during the nearly two-hour observance, which included speeches by local dignitaries and inspirational music and prayer by chorus groups representing Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, Congregation Beth Israel and St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church.

Scotch Plains Mayor Nancy Malool, the evening’s master of ceremonies, expressed her gratitude to the members of the September 11th Memorial Committee, including Scotch Plains Business and Professional Association President Lisa Mohn, Police Chief Brian Mahoney, SPFHS Principal David Heisey, Township Manager Christopher Marion, Township Administrative Assistant Madeline Rutkowski, Sgt. Ernie Hernandez, Rescue Squad Capt. Dan Sullivan, Construction Official Bob LaCosta, veteran and longtime resident Don Wussler, Firefighter Charlie Mecca, Fire Chief Jon Ellis, Rescue Squad member Rob Jabstrebsky, and Tom Donatelli, owner of Eastern Marble and Granite.

“This is the most meaningful project I have ever been involved in,” Malool said.

Among the main speakers was former governor and Scotch Plains-based attorney Donald DiFrancesco, who was in office at the time of the attacks. At Sunday’s ceremony, he recalled excusing himself from a meeting with the state’s Holocaust Commission after being told that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center.

“We didn’t know a lot at the beginning, only what we saw on television,” DiFrancesco said, noting that some of the state’s emergency communications systems had been located atop the Twin Towers. He said that a day does not go by that he does not think of some aspect of Sept. 11. “We were fearful that other terrible things were about to happen and our first priority was the safety of all New Jersey residents.”

Union County Freeholder Al Mirabella, a Fanwood resident, said he was impressed with the turnout. “I have been to six ceremonies the past two days, and this is definitely the most people I have seen. It is heartwarming to see such a large crowd.”

The anniversary brought back indelible memories for Scotch Plains Councilman Kevin Glover, who said he lost a close friend to the attacks. “He could have gotten out alive but he was the kind of person who would not be satisfied until everybody was out safely,” said Glover. “What took place that day was surreal. I couldn’t believe what was happening but we have shown that as country we can come together.”

The ceremony marked the first time that the Rothenberg, Walsh and Horning families have all been together. Horning’s mother, Diane, was the first of the group to speak. She invited Assemblywoman Linda Stender, a Scotch Plains resident, to accompany her to the podium.

She thanked Stender and her neighbors for remembering her son, Matthew, a programmer for Marsh and MacLennon who was working in the North Tower on 9/11. “Matthew loved this town and I hope this memorial monument will give us all a place to sit in quiet reflection. He always wanted to be a fireman, but he didn’t think he was brave enough.” Horning said.

Walsh’s brother, Thomas, a county superior court judge, spoke next. At the time of the attacks, Jim Walsh was working in the North Tower as a computer programmer for Cantor Fitzgerald.

“We immediately gathered at Jim’s house, hoping for the good news which never came,” Thomas said. “Soon after our shock and sadness, we started to get incredible support from all his neighbors who brought over food and asked what they could do to help.”

Mark Rothenberg, the owner of MDR Global Resources, was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93 on a business trip to Taiwan, by way of San Francisco. That flight crashed into a field outside Shanksville, Pa., after the passengers reportedly overtook the plane’s hijackers.

On Sunday, Rothenberg’s brother-in-law, Steve Bernstein, recalled meeting him as a freshman at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. Bernstein was playing the guitar, “trying to meet girls,” he said, eliciting chuckles, and Rothenberg, then a senior, told him that he played the recorder. The two bonded over music, and years later, became family.

Bernstein noted how much has changed in 10 years, and how proud Rothenberg would be of his family’s accomplishments: his wife, Meredith, an audiologist, obtained her doctorate; the couple’s daughters, Rachel and Sara, married; and Rachel and her husband, Ross, now have two sons.

Bernstein closed his remarks by offering a musical tribute – an acoustic performance of the Beatles song, “In My Life,” which he said was one of Rothenberg’s favorites.

As the dwindling daylight faded to night, the Village Green became illuminated by the soft orange glow of hundreds of candles, held by those gathered around the monument. Bagpipers performed “Amazing Grace,” a benediction was offered, and the spectators – wiping tears, hugging, or simply quiet in contemplation – walked to view the monument or headed home.

Sally Johnston, the wife of former mayor Robert Johnston, was among those who stopped to see the monument. “It looks like they did a beautiful job,” she said.