Dear Editor:
In recent weeks there have been some unfair attacks on the Jersey City 9-11 Memorial Committee and the monument from Russia.
Our goal as a committee is to forever keep alive the memory of all who were murdered on that day, 9-11-01. And yes, men, women and children were killed. Their only crime was that they were Americans who were either in a plane going on a trip or in a building going to work to support their families.
The only support we received outside of the committee was from our Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham, and we still were ridiculed and attacked. Simply put, that has been so unfair.
The committee is and has always been open to the public. Our meetings and attendance have always been announced in the weekly and daily newspapers. The minutes of the meetings have been recorded.
Our only demands to be a member of the committee were to be compassionate and honest. That’s it. There were never really any tough requirements to become a member except just be willing to lend a hand with your heart, and produce a foundation that will forever live on.
There is no money to be made here. This is all about giving. This committee has made me proud to serve with them in making the 9-11 foundation of Jersey City that much closer to becoming a reality. These members have worked very hard to get things done.
Further, we are not artists nor do we claim to be. However our committee was well publicized and open to artists to participate. One such person who claims to be a local artist actually was a member of the committee, but he quit after every issue didn’t fit his personal agenda. He’s had public shows in the gallery at City Hall and has even written columns for the local press. But he never publicly admits he quit the committee. It’s been nothing but a personal vendetta, which is not the sentiment appropriate for establishing a memorial should be.
Despite our repeated efforts to galvanize public input, the numerous page 1 articles in the local press, the television coverage, I do not recall any of the artists dissenters who have attacked us recently bothering to get involved or to reach out to me or our committee during the nearly two years of our work.
We never intended to leave out anyone who wanted to participate. We begged for participation. But now, the greatest critics are the Monday-morning couch quarterbacks who have waited until we have accomplished some of our goals only to criticize.
Like any committee, a real concern was how we would finance any of our goals.
We have more work to do concerning the monument, and we would like to see police and firemen and the different ethnic groups of people represented in the final project. Their images are important to us, and we believe that they should be part of the monument. We have no problem with a monument in Liberty State Park because there are 3,000 or more stories to tell. But remember, it was the shoreline of Jersey City where the thousands fled to escape the horror.
It was the waterfront of Jersey City where the call for help came to from one of the first injured officers. It was the shoreline of Jersey City where more than 5000 people were coordinated to support the rescue and recovery efforts.
We also welcome the Hudson County Building Trades Council which has plans to put a statue of Iron Workers on the water, it will be presented by Dennis Jones of Local 164 of Electrical Workers Union. Iron Workers and construction experts were the front line guys who moved into remove the tons of steel to find the survivors.
Anyone who wants to help is always welcome, and those who have time and ideas we welcome you. You can call me at 201-547-4280. Pray for Peace.
John J. Guarini III
Chairman 9-11 Committee Of Jersey City