‘A quiet place to teach the children what happened that day’
Warwick. September 11 Memorial Sculpture Garden, work of artists and tradesmen and donations from the community, dedicated in Stanley-Deming Park.
| 14 Sep 2021 | 09:16
The 9/11 Memorial Sculpture Garden on the Roger Metzger Arboretum in Stanley-Deming Park encompasses an I-beam from the World Trade Center gifted to the Village of Warwick through the efforts of Warwick Historical Society curator Michael Bertolini with the help of former Assemblyman Howard Mills. Designed by Amy Lewis Sweetman, the garden also features a reflecting pool, benches and landscaping. Photo by Robert G. Breese.
On Saturday, Sept. 11, the twentieth anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon , a huge crowd gathered as the Village of Warwick and the Warwick Fire Department held a remembrance ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial Sculpture Garden on the Roger Metzger Arboretum in Stanley-Deming Park. Photo by Roger Gavan.
Amy Sweetman described her task of designing a monument around the I beam from the “Phoenix” of the World Trade Center as “overwhelmingly emotional.” Photo by Roger Gavan.
During the ceremony Supervisor Michael Sweeton rang the bell for each name on the memorial read by Mayor Michael Newhard. Photo by Roger Gavan.
The names of the people from Warwick who died in the terrorist attacks 20 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001. Cynthia Wilson’s name was added to the program. She had purchased a home in Warwick but had not moved before her death in the 9/11 attack. Photo by Robert G. Breese.
Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard described the Memorial Sculpture Garden as “a wonderful gift to the community to be located in an area where children play, easy to see but that stands apart high on a hill - a quiet place to teach the children what happened that day.” Photo by Robert G. Breese.
On Saturday, Sept. 11, the twentieth anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon , a huge crowd gathered as the Village of Warwick and the Warwick Fire Department held a remembrance ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial Sculpture Garden on the Roger Metzger Arboretum in Stanley-Deming Park.
Many of those attending had just attended the Fire Department’s remembrance ceremony in Veterans Memorial Park. And this event would also pay tribute to those who perished that fateful day.
An I-beam from the World Trade Center
The memorial, designed by artist Amy Lewis Sweetman, encompasses an I-beam from the World Trade Center gifted to the Village of Warwick through the efforts of Warwick Historical Society curator Michael Bertolini with the help of former Assemblyman Howard Mills.
The ceremony began with Mayor Michael Newhard welcoming everyone and introducing the guest speakers, and the entrance of an American Legion and VFW Color Guard.
Everyone then stood for the National Anthem performed by the Meister Singers under the direction of Noreen Hanson.
A prayer of dedication was offered by the Rev. Stacey Duensing Pearce of the Warwick Reformed Church.
Mayor Newhard then recognized elected local officials and emergency services followed by his introduction of guest speakers including state and local officials as well as artist Amy Sweetman.
Sweetman described her task of designing a monument around the I beam from the “Phoenix” of the World Trade Center as “overwhelmingly emotional.”
‘A gift to the community’
During the ceremony Supervisor Michael Sweeton struck the bell for each name on the memorial read by the mayor.
In his remembrance remarks Newhard described the Memorial Sculpture Garden as “a wonderful gift to the community to be located in an area where children play, easy to see but that stands apart high on a hill - a quiet place to teach the children what happened that day.”
The ceremony concluded with a violin selection played by E’lissa Jones and a closing benediction by the Rev. Jack Arlotta, pastor of the Church of St. Stephen, The First Martyr.
The planning committee
The memorial’s planning committee included Mayor Michael Newhard, Trustee Corey Bachman, DPW Supervisor Mike Moser, consultant engineers David Getz and John Deerkoski, and Amy Lewis Sweetman.
Donations
Donations for the construction of the memorial were provided by the Warwick Lions Club, the Warwick Valley Rotary, the Warwick Fire Department, Warwick EMS, the Warwick Valley Gardeners, the Town of Warwick, the Village of Warwick, the Town and Village of Warwick’s Shade Tree Commissions, E.P. Jansen Nursery, R.S. Phillips Steel, Orange Nursery & Stone Supply and Authentic Antique Lumber.
“A beautiful place of reflection, a fitting tribute for all those we lost that day, especially those in our community.”
Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton
“Remember, love is the very best thing we have in this life.”
From a letter by Elsa Strong, the sister of Greenwood Lake resident Linda Gronlund, who perished with the 40 passengers and crew of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pa. The letter was read by Frances Marino.