Montclair's 9/11 Tradition At Watchung Plaza Comes To An End

Every year for the past 10 years, people have gathered together to mark and honor the victims of Sept. 11 at Watchung Plaza in Montclair.

This annual memorial has always been a moving, somber affair, with members of victims' families on hand as the town remembered the day nine Montclair residents lost their lives in 2001.

But the annual tradition has come to an end. From now on, township officials say Montclair will mark the occasion every 10 years instead of every year.

"It was decided last year that the 10^th anniversary would be the last remembrance event until perhaps the 20^th anniversary," said Katya Wowk, Montclair's director of communications.

Township council members say they are encouraging Montclair residents to join in with the annual memorial event organized by Essex County.

This year, as always, Essex will hold a 9/11 observance event the morning of Sept. 11 at Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange.

In addition, the Township of Montclair plans to host a bagpiper at a council meeting scheduled the evening of Sept. 11.

"There will be a moment of silence and victims' names will be read," Wowk said. 

Although Montclair has decided to end its annual tradition at Watchung Plaza, at least some other area towns are planning their own 9/11 events, as usual.

Livingston, for example, will hold its annual Ceremony of Remembrance at its 9/11 Memorial Garden, located at the Oval Memorial Park, to honor the seven people it lost.

Livingston Mayor Stephen Santola will welcome the guests and give a description and the meaning of the garden’s design. During the ceremony, Livingston Girl Scouts will place a rose on the center monument while Township Manager Michele Meade reads each of the names. Vietnam veteran Brian Boyle will toll the bell.

What do you think? Do you think Montclair should continue its annual 9/11 tradition at Watchung Plaza or move to marking the occasion every 10 years? Let us know in the comments section below.