New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey came to Weehawken last Tuesday to officially christen the new NY Waterway passenger ferry that was named in the honor of the fallen Port Authority superintendent of police, who was killed while responding to the call at the World Trade Center last Sept. 11.
McGreevey was on hand to help launch the new Fred V. Morrone, the brand new high-speed passenger ferry that NY Waterway officials decided to name in honor of the fallen leader, as well as the 36 other Port Authority police officers who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks.
McGreevey was joined in the ceremony by Linda Morrone, the widow of the fallen leader, and her four children, as well as Arthur Imperatore, Jr., the president of NY Waterway, and Charles DeRienzo, who replaced Morrone as the superintendent of police.
State Assembly Speaker Albio Sires and Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner were also present to honor Morrone and his family.
"Superintendent Fred Morrone and the 36 other Port Authority police officers who lost their lives on Sept. 11 gave the world a vision of valor and selflessness that is the best face of America," McGreevey told the audience of approximately 200 dignitaries that braved the 100-degree temperatures. "At the moment of supreme national horror, we were fortunate to have a remarkable group of heroes ready to set aside their own personal safety and grief for their fallen members. Their camaraderie and sacrifice will continue to speak volumes, demonstrating that our police, firefighters and emergency workers are a breed apart from the rest of us."
Morrone, a 20-year veteran of the New Jersey State Police, served as the superintendent of police for the Port Authority for the last six years prior to his death. While on command, he was in charge of all 1,300 officers and commanders of the Port Authority police department. He was a resident of Lakewood, where he made his home with his wife and four children.
Morrone rushed to the WTC from his office in Jersey City to help in the rescue mission and tragically lost his life.
"With this symbol, we honor their lives and their courage – not just Fred Morrone, but all of those who lost their lives that day," McGreevey said. "We owe Fred Morrone an eternal debt for his brave acts. He will remain forever proud in our memory. Fred ran toward danger that day, not away from it. He was willing to sacrifice his life for the lives of others, the ultimate sacrifice. Let this ferry act as a lasting testament to his courage and selflessness."
The Fred V. Morrone is a "sea otter" class ferry that carries 97 passengers at a speed of 30 knots, approximately 35 miles per hour. The Fred V. Morrone is one of several new otter class ferries that will be used on NY Waterway’s new East River commuter service, carrying passengers from Queens to Pier 11 near Wall Street in just eight minutes.
Imperatore said that he was pleased to be able to honor the memory of Morrone by naming the ferry after him.
"Fred Morrone and the 36 other Port Authority police officers are our guardian angels, watching over this ferry and the thousands of people she serves for generations to come," Imperatore said. "Their children and their children’s children will see this boat relentlessly and reliably plying our rivers and harbors every day and will remember the brave men and women who conquered unspeakable evil in the hour of our greatest need."
Linda Morrone was also touched by the ceremony.
"It’s only fitting that a ferry which serves the public honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice on Sept. 11," Linda Morrone said. "Fred loved being out on the water. He wanted to live on the water. In this ferry, a part of his spirit will live on in the water, moving past the New York skyline he loved so much for many years to come."
Linda Morrone and her children, with the assistance of McGreevey, then broke the traditional bottle of champagne to officially christen the ferry, which was immediately put into service.