project was completed with absolutely no cost to taxpayers.” The committee organized numerous fundraising activities that included clothing drives, cruises and a fun day at a local Raymour and Flanigan furniture store. But many of the contributions came in the form of free labor from over 45 different trade unions in Southern New Jersey. “I have been an active member of Local 27 for 49 years,” said Vincent. “I was a draftsman and did a lot of AutoCAD design work so I know a lot of people in a lot of different unions, and once the committee was formed, I made a few calls.” One call was to a local Absecon electric company, Hughes Electric. Steve Hughes is a member of IBEW Local 351. “When Eddie called about the project, it was an automatic yes,” said Hughes. “This is where I live. This isn’t a project about politics but a non-partisan project that is a true tribute honoring the victims from each location on September 11, 2001.” Vincent worked on the design to incorporate the I-beam with a smallscale replica of the Twin Towers as well as other features that represent the Pentagon in Virginia and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 crashed. Once the design was complete, labor unions started calling and offering their help. “We had steelworkers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, cement finishers, fabricators, bricklayers, apprentices, you name it, and even if they did not have a specific skill that was conducive to the project, they volunteered to help with cement,
or bring in dirt or help in different ways to complete this project,” said Vincent. The unique memorial includes five flag poles with a podium made of granite with the story of what happened at each site laser engraved on the granite. The tallest flag pole is 30 ft. high, which will fly the American flag. The other four poles are 25 ft. high and will fly the state flags of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, each with the story of the tragedy that took place at each location on that fateful morning. “Most 9/11 memorials pay tribute to one location but we wanted to tell the entire story of that day and provide a place for remembrance, reflection, respect, honor and education,” said Vincent. “We held an assembly at a local school for 2nd to 8th graders this year and the questions that the students asked were phenomenal.” Vincent and his fellow volunteers were able to share what they were doing and where they were when the attacks happened. “You have to remember, none of these students were alive when the attacks took place, this is history and we need to help them understand by providing a lasting testament to that day,” said Vincent. “And I am proud of the contribution our City, our Committee, and our South Jersey Trades made to make this project a reality on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.” The Absecon 9/11 Memorial is located at 500 Mill Road, Absecon, NJ. A dedication ceremony took place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016.
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OCTOBER 2016
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TRADES & UNION
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