The Middletown Memorial Gardens are a tribute to the 37 residents who died in the attacks of September 11, 2001, and very year since, many have gathered there in a reverent ceremony to “never forget.”

It is a silent service, with no words spoken, followed by a single bell that tolls and the pipes of a single bagpiper.

Many shed tears, as relatives and friends of the fallen come together in remembrance, as well as firemen, policeman, and veterans to reflect on their feelings of deep sorrow for all those lost to the tragedy.

The Middletown Memorial Garden, is made up of a beautiful marble arch which begins a peaceful, winding path featuring 37 personalized marble monument markers, one for each person that lost their life at the World Trade Center.

People frequently visit the monument to remember and mourn.

Some leave flowers, and personal gifts, such as a child’s book titled ‘Crabbing with Uncle Eddie’, which gives us just a peek at the enormity of the loss each persons passing left behind: fathers, sons, daughters, mothers, grandparents, uncles, aunts and treasured community members.

(The residents who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are honored at the Middletown World Trade Center Memorial Gardens. Courtesy of NJTV News and YouTube. Posted on Sep 11, 2018.)

As a boy, the two things that scared Ken Tietjen most were fire trucks and police cars. So he took some ribbing from his family when, as an adult, he chose a job that required him to ride in both.

Officer Tietjen, a Port Authority police officer, was at the 33rd Street PATH station when he heard about the terrorist attack, said Laurie Quinn, his sister.

Officer Tietjen commandeered a taxi, banished the driver to the back seat, and drove to ground zero.

He rushed into the north tower and helped people down, but when he emerged to get a new respirator, only one remained, his partner recalled.

Smiling, Officer Tietjen said, “Seniority rules,” took the respirator and ran into the south tower.

Moments later, the building fell.

“My brother had a choice whether to go back and he chose to go back in,” said Ms. Quinn.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less from him.”

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on December 1, 2001.

Middletown Remembers 9/11/01

Middletown was the second hardest hit city after New York City, per capita, with 37 residents dying when the World Trade Center was hit in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attack.

Residents of this small New Jersey community recall the horror of watching the trade towers fall, but they also hold another poignant memory of September 11th: the vision of the many parked vehicles that sat day after day in the commuter train and bus station parking lots, following the terror attacks.

Many of those commuters never made it home from work that day.

Residents remembered at the Memorial Gardens are:

Join Middletown for a moment of silence and wreath laying to honor the 37 Middletown residents who died 18 years ago in the World Trade Center Sept. 11, 2001 attack.

The ceremony will be from 7:15 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the Middletown World Trade Center Memorial Gardens, 36 Church Street in Middletown.

Please park at the Middletown Train Station, where police officers will be directing traffic. The tribute will be held rain or shine.

If you unable to make the Wednesday night ceremony, the Monmouth County Park System is hosting a Memorial Ceremony at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, September 11th at Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook, 460 Ocean Boulevard, Atlantic Highlands, home of the County’s September 11th Memorial.

All are invited to attend this ceremony.

Speakers will include Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone and Freeholder and Park System Liaison Lillian G. Burry.

Music will be provided by the Pipes and Drums of the Atlantic Watch with Gabby Cinque singing.

The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard will take part in the ceremony with Sheriff Shaun Golden leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

This ceremony also, will be held rain or shine.

The Park System is extending Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook’s hours until 11 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, September 9-11, to provide additional opportunities to visit the County’s September 11th.

For more information about the Memorial Ceremony or the County’s September 11th Memorial, please visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000, ext. 4312.

For persons with hearing impairment, the Park System TTY/TDD number is 711.

The Monmouth County Park System, created in 1960 by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, is Monmouth County’s Open Space, Parks, and Recreation agency.

(Port Authority Police Officer Ken Tietjen, 31, of Matawan, died while rescuing people trapped in the World Trade Center after the Sept. 11 attack. He led workers, some of them badly burned, from Tower One before grabbing the last air pack in sight and entering Tower Two. “He waved to his partner and went in,” his mother said. Officer Tietjen, who was engaged to be married, died when Tower Two collapsed. Courtesy of Marino Duran and YouTube. Posted on Jan 13, 2011.)

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