Warren County will pay tribute to those lost in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, with a “Tribute in Lights” sponsored by the Washington Borough Fire Department at the county Emergency Services and 9/11 Memorial on Sept. 11. The annual Patriot Day commemoration will be held on Sept. 12.

“Warren County will never forget the tragic events that happened 19 years ago. While this year will be different, we must pause to pay our respect for the innocent victims and first responders who lost their lives,” said Freeholder James R. Kern III, freeholder liaison for public safety. “Each passing year it becomes more important to hold these events so the next generation knows the evil that transpired but also the American heroism in response,” Kern added.

When news broke that tribute lights at Ground Zero might not be lit this year – two shafts of light beaming into the sky where the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center used to stand – Washington Borough firefighters decided to plan their own tribute in conjunction with Warren County’s 9/11 memorial committee. The lights at Ground Zero will be lit after all, but the borough fire department is continuing with its special tribute, which is being donated in honor of fallen firefighter Brian Heinrich, 40 years after his line-of-duty death.

Lights will shine from 8-11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, at the county Emergency Services and 9/11 Memorial in Franklin Township, located at 1500 State Highway 57, Washington, between the Warren County Technical School and the Warren County Community College.

On Saturday, Sept. 12, beginning at 1 p.m., the Patriot Day commemoration will begin at the memorial, which includes a large steel beam salvaged from the Ground Zero wreckage.

According to Warren County Fire Marshal Joseph Lake, Jr., the guest speaker will be N.J. State Police Sgt. First Class Mike Lamonaco, a prior Joint Terrorism Task Force member, current emergency management liaison to Warren County, and son of slain State Trooper Philip Lamonaco.

The ceremony honors all who perished in the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01 as well as Warren County Emergency Service personnel who have died in the line of duty.

COVID-19 Social Distancing Guidelines will be adhered to and masks will only be required if social distancing cannot be maintained.