Cedar Grove honors 9/11 victims with annual flag display

CEDAR GROVE, N.J. (PIX11) — For the tenth year in a row, the Township of Cedar Grove commemorated the September 11th terrorist attacks with a large flag display on the high school’s front lawn.

It contains 2,977 flags – one for each person who died on the day of the attack.

Cedar Grove High School senior Kailyn Louizzi performed with her choir during a 9/11 ceremony Wednesday morning.

I’m very grateful that my school does this,” said Louizzi.

Cedar Grove Mayor Melissa Skabich described the memorial as a teaching opportunity for students, all of whom were born after the attack.

“When you see a visual representation of what those lives actually look like, it’s overwhelming,” said Skabich. “And it’s a really nice way to teach them about something that happened way before they were born.”

Members of the Cedar Grove Volunteer Fire Department spend a week placing the flags and name placards. “They are out here – rain or shine – really taking the time to meticulously place every flag with respect and dignity,” said Skabich.

The memorial attracts visitors from all over New Jersey, many of whom come to find a loved one’s flag.

“We’ve been coming here for the past two to three years because they do all the beautiful flags,” said Chris Kerrigan, the president of Fourth Watch Motorcycle Club. The club rides in honor of Port Authority Police Officer David LaMagne, who died on 9/11.

Kerrigan was particularly impressed with the students’ involvement. “These are kids that weren’t even born back then,” said Kerrigan. “They don’t know firsthand – like we do – what happened that day. And they take the time to remember everyone who was killed that day. It means a lot. It’s awesome.”

The flag display will remain up outside of Cedar Grove High School for two weeks after September 11th.

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