Eagle Oaks 9-11 Memorial Includes Steel From World Trade Center
This past July 4, the directors and members of the Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club in Farmingdale dedicated a unique 9/11 Memorial created from an actual piece of World Trade Center steel as a permanent historical symbol on the grounds of the championship caliber golf course.
The 5,800-pound piece of steel was donated to the Eagle Oaks by the Port Authority of NY/NJ Police Department in recognition of the Eagle Oaks members and staff who have supported the Honor Day program that thanks our military personnel for their service in keeping America free.
Recently two of our members, Mark Walko and Barry Halprin, donated their time and resources to anchor (with 45,000 pounds of concrete) the piece of steel that is now bowing towards lower Manhattan.
VIDEO OF EAGLE OAKS 9-11 MEMORIAL DEDICATION
The Eagle Oaks 9/11 Memorial, funded and constructed by members, bows in respect towards Lower Manhattan. Thousands of brave first responders sacrificed their own health and safety to help those trapped in the burning towers because of the cowardice coordinated terrorists attacks upon New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pa., on September 11, 2011.
Eagle Oaks has long supported the U.S. Military troops who protect our freedom. Each year, the club hosts an annual military event in support of the courageous men and women who stand in defense of our country’s freedom. Traditionally held on the Thursday before Memorial Day and during Fleet Week, Eagle Oak’s Honor Day hosts active duty and retired Marines for a full day of leisure and golf on a championship caliber golf course and show their gratitude to those who serve our country so selflessly.
The Port Authority Police Department members who attended Eagles Oaks Honor Day each year were so inspired by the patriotism and generosity of the Eagle Oaks members and staff that they hand selected this 5,800-pound piece of American history to make its permanent home at the Eagle Oaks.. This steel beam once stood three stories tall between the 82nd and 85th floors of One World Trade Center. The Eagle Oaks 9/11 Memorial also includes a “Port Authority Police Department Walkway of Heroes” which is laid with bricks naming each of the 37 officers who died in the line-of-duty on 9/11.
Aside from the memorial constructed at Ground Zero, there are many other memorials built in various communities and municipalities throughout the United States, including Beacon Hill Country Club in Atlantic Highlands. Many of these memorials are built around a remnant of steel from the destroyed towers. These remnants have been donated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey through a program that has distributed more than 1,000 pieces of World Trade Center steel.
A committee was created to fund the 9/11 memorial around the solemn piece of steel. The dedication ceremony on Monday, June 11th marked the beginning of what will forever provide the Eagle Oaks Community a chance to reflect on those who lost their lives in the attacks and in defending America. The Port Authority lost 38 members as a result of the attacks and each of those families was invited to attend the ceremony and is invited back each September 11th in remembrance.
Domenic Gatto, Chairman and President of Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club, said “We know freedom is not free. That is why so many brave first responders ran into the World Trade Center Towers on 9/11 to save lives while sacrificing their own. We will never forget their ultimate sacrifice, and it is a true honor to have this strong and resilient steel with us at Eagle Oaks to remember and salute the heroism and courage of so many.”
“This steel was offered to the golf course as part of the work we do with Honor Day. We are an extremely patriotic group of people at Eagle Oaks,” said Joe Cary, Board Member of Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club and 9/11 Memorial Committee. “We hope that this memorial will give the 9/11 families a sense of peace and provide a place for reflection and thought.”
“It’s very heartwarming to still be remembered after all of these years,” said Joan Callahan, widow of PAPD Officer Liam Callahan.
“It’s so nice to know people are still remembering. It’s a gorgeous memorial,” said Mary Froehner, widow of PAPD Officer Greg Froehner.
The 9/11 Memorial Committee includes: Joseph Cary, William Cary, Robert Smith, William “Boomer” Weaver, J. Rick Nelson, Mark Walko, Domenic F. Gatto, Tom McHale (PAPD), Michael Maroney, Alfonso Sollecito, Salvatore Spinelli, Jr., Todd Cohen, Barry Halprin, David “Chip” Schulz.
Eagle Oaks annually conducts Honor Day for U.S. military forces in May, during Fleet Week, when marines from the 8thRegiment and personnel from the USS Iwo Jima are in port in New York Harbor.
Proceeds from the event have benefitted Wounded Warriors, a non-profit organization that strives to enhance the quality of life for armed services members and their families adversely affected by injury or death in the line of duty.
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