CRANFORD — On May 29, Orange Avenue School (OAS) welcomed the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit for a public ceremony and viewing of the exhibit. The event saw a large turnout of Cranford residents, students, first responders, local business owners and clergy alike.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation provides mortgage-free housing to Gold Star and first-responder families with young children who lost their loved one in service, as well as smart-homes for first responders and injured veterans who began serving because of the September 11 attacks. The Foundation was started in honor of Brooklyn Squad 1 Firefighter Stephen Gerard Siller, who upon hearing on September 11, 2001 that the North Tower of the World Trade Center had been struck, rushed back to his station, drove up to the entrance of a closed Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and ran through the tunnel with 60 pounds of gear on his back to the Twin Towers. Although Mr. Siller gave his life that day, this foundation still honors his legacy by hosting an annual run through the same tunnel that the hero firefighter ran through in his quest to save others nearly 23 years ago.
The 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit is an interactive and educational experience held inside an 83foot tractor-trailer, which transforms into a 1,100-square-foot exhibit. This exhibit features artifacts from that day, including steel beams from the towers, documentary videos, and recordings of first-responder radio transmissions. Inside the exhibit, New York City Fire Department (FDNY) firefighters provide first-hand accounts of the day and its aftermath. This exhibit has traveled across the country and Canada.
This event was largely inspired by the demonstrated interest shown by OAS’ eighth graders. Many of them participated in an essay contest sponsored by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and The New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education, where each participant wrote an essay about the positive aspects that emerged following 9/11, such as improved safety standards and communication protocols. The essays discussed themes of patriotism, unity, heroism and sacrifice, and students got to speak to family members who lived through the attacks to gain more perspective.
The event and essay contest were brought to the school by OAS parent, PTA member and Tunnel to Towers Foundation member Caren Villarreal. Ms. Villarreal’s father, FDNY Assistant Chief Gerard A. Barbara, co-led the rescue effort inside of the South Tower and was killed in the line of duty. Ms. Villarreal is passionate about educating future generations about the 9/11 attacks, and is proud that her two children, both of whom attend OAS, carry on her father’s legacy.
The ceremony began with the Presentation of Colors conducted by the FDNY Ceremonial Unit and Cranford Boy Scout Troop 80. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Ms. Villarreal’s daughter, Elena, and Cranford Boy Scout Troop 80. William Arce, FDNY firefighter, sang the National Anthem. The Reverend Andrew Kruger, of Trinity Episcopal Church in Cranford, led the ceremony’s invocation. This was followed by a moment of silence, then the Union County Pipe and Drum Band’s rendition of “God Bless America,” and finally the colors were retired.
Ms. Villarreal introduced the winner of the OAS essay contest, and one of the top essays of the state, CJ Todd, to read his essay to the crowd.
“We must honor those that we lost on that tragic day, but also recognize and remember the thousands of first responders that worked in the months following the attacks and remember those that have died since due to health complications,” CJ said.
Sal Cassano, an executive board member of Tunnel to Towers and former FDNY Chief of Department, offered his remarks to the audience.
“It’s important that we have this mobile exhibit for families all over the country to tell stories,” Mr. Cassano, a friend of Chief Barbara, said. “These stories have to be told.”
This was followed by remarks given by Cranford Police Chief Ryan Greco, who was an officer in Cranford on September 11, 2001, and who aided NYPD and FDNY in the days following the attacks in New York City.
“When I walked into the 9/11 [exhibit], I was just astounded,” Chief Greco said. “It brought back a lot of memories, a lot of some pretty harsh emotions.”
After Chief Greco’s remarks, the public was invited to enter the mobile exhibit.
“This evening’s event is especially important to my family,” Ms. Villarreal said. “It is certain that my dad would support the Tunnel to Towers educational initiative and would think it was a great way to remember never to forget.”
