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Essex Adds 9/11 Flight-Crew Memorial
By Stefanie Jackowitz Published: 09/02/2009
On September 11, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Jr., will unveil an addition to the county’s 9/11 memorial at an 8am public ceremony at the Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange. The granite monument stands in memory of the 33 pilots and flight attendants who died in the 2001 attacks.
Located next to a group of trees—each representing a crash site or aircraft—the monument is a stirring reminder of the crew members’ sacrifices. Each name is engraved on the monument pedestal, which also features a bronze pilot’s cap. Airline wings—the international symbol of aviation—adorn the front of the pedestal.
The idea for the monument sprang from West Orange resident Deborah Calimano, a Continental Airlines flight attendant, who asked why no special recognition had been given to pilots and flight attendants who bravely served during the 9/11 attacks. DiVincenzo agreed that these unsung heroes deserved a special honor, and plans were soon begun for the addition to Essex County’s Eagle Rock September 11th Memorial, which was first constructed in October 2002.
“Nobody becomes a flight attendant to pop a soda can,” says Calimano. “Passengers call on us for help. We love flying, but we’re here for safety.”
