Ground broken on 9/11 memorial

11/21/01

By KAREN AYRES
Staff Writer

WEST WINDSOR -- Township officials yesterday broke ground on a memorial dedicated to six township residents who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.

The memorial, located in the Ron Rogers Arboretum on the corner of Clarksville Road and Route 571, is in remembrance of residents Jeffrey Chairnoff, Michael Cunningham, Edward Pykon and John Ryan as well as David Suarez and Patrick Murphy, who grew up in West Windsor.

"The memorial is intended to remember those who left their homes that day in September and never came back," said Harley Pickens, chairman of the Arboretum Committee.

The memorial will contain twin reflecting pools connected by a stream, which will be covered by a small wooden bridge. Several waterfalls and small boulders will also fill the site.

"People will be able to enjoy it and remember our losses and our strength," said Alison Miller, Township Council president. "It seemed to us after the tragedy of Sept. 11 that our contemplative garden was a beautiful spot to have a memorial."

Three construction companies are donating their services to complete the $35,000 project. Friends of West Windsor Open Space, a nonprofit group, is soliciting donations to fund the rest of it.

Patrick Boyle, who attended yesterday's groundbreaking ceremony with his wife and children, donated $5,000 to the project.

"We know neighbors that were lost," said Boyle, who worked in New York City for more than 20 years. "We just thought it was nice to have a tribute to them around here."

About 100 trees from Maurice Hawk Elementary School will be moved to the site in the spring.

Pickens said he hopes to hold a dedication ceremony in April once the memorial is complete.