Carteret, NJ – On Sunday September 11, 2011, Mayor Dan Reiman and the Borough Council were joined by 2007-2008 VFW National Commander in Chief, George Lisicki, Freeholder Deputy Director Ronald G. Rios, and over 1,000 Carteret residents as the town commemorated the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
The memorial service was held at the September 11 Memorial at Carteret Park, which has been dedicated to Joe Mangano, Colleen Mehan-Barkow, and Jaycee DeChavez, who died in Manhattan during the World Trade Center attacks and who were residents of Carteret:
COLLEEN ANN MEEHAN BARKOW, 26
A native of Carteret, Colleen Ann Meehan Barkow was a graduate of Bishop Ahr High School in Edison and attended St. John’s University in Staten Island. She worked as a project manager for Cantor Fitzgerald, on the 103rd floor of the North Tower. She was married September 17, 2000.
JAYCERYLL M. DE CHAVEZ, 24
A Carteret resident, Jayceryll M. De Chavez was at the top of his class from elementary school, to Carteret High School, where he participated in track and field and basketball, to his time at Rutgers University, where he studied finance and economics. He worked as an assistant to the portfolio manager at Fiduciary Trust, which had offices on the 95th floor of the South Tower.
JOSEPH MANGANO, 53
Raised in Carteret, Joseph Mangano graduated from Carteret High School and Pace University in New York City. He was an assistant vice president and software analyst for Marsh & McLennan, which had offices on the 95th floor of the North Tower. He worked at the company for 32 years. He was married for 33 years.
New commemorative markers were unveiled, honoring these victims and the emergency service departments that assisted with recovery efforts following the attacks. Funding for the additions to the existing memorial was provided by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission.
Since 2002, the annual event has drawn a growing number of residents and visitors each year. Sunday’s service included presentations given by Mayor Reiman, Middlesex County Freeholder Ronald Rios, and the 2007-2008 National Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, George J. Lisicki. Also in attendance were family members of the 3 Carteret residents who died on 9/11.
“It is as important to remember 9/11 today as it was then,” Mayor Reiman said, “as we revisit the emotions and the feeling of unity we shared as Americans at the time of the attacks, the lament over those lost, and the pride in so many of our selfless emergency service professionals who heroically gave themselves for the preservation of others. It was a horrible day, yet few things in recent years have so effectively reinforced our sense of national pride.”
“I appreciate the support from my colleagues on the Freeholder Board for recognizing how important it has been for the residents of Carteret to commemorate the loss that we felt 10 years ago, and the deep appreciation that we have for our first responders,” Freeholder Deputy Director Ron Rios said. “These markers will serve as lasting tribute to those that Carteret lost, and to all the victims of that fateful day.”
