County memorial merges
designs of three students
Waterfront courtyard will feature a bronze eagle by noted sculptor

The Sayreville waterfront has long been visited for its spectacular view of the New York City skyline, although the former twin towers always stood out as a particularly breathtaking sight.

Thanks to the inspiration provided by three local high school students, the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and CME Associates, a Sayreville-based engineering firm, will ensure that the Raritan Bay Waterfront Park is a place to view the existing skyline while reflecting on the losses experienced on Sept. 11.

The designs of three students — Josephine Wong and Abdul Rahim, both of Old Bridge High School’s east campus, and Megan Skulski of Sayreville War Memorial High School — were chosen last week after a countywide contest. Aspects of their designs were combined to become the blueprint of the Middlesex County Victims of Terrorism Memorial. The memorial, whose construction will begin in the near future, will be unveiled at the Sayreville waterfront around Labor Day — just before the two-year anniversary of Sept. 11.

David B. Crabiel, director of the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, said the concept is not geared specifically to Sept. 11, but rather to victims of all terrorist tragedies.

"We didn’t want a twin tower memorial specifically," Crabiel said. "But because [57 residents of Middlesex County died in the Sept. 11 attacks], the location off the shoreline is perfect."

The architectural plans for the project will include columns from Wong’s design, representing the principles of wisdom and liberty upon which America has developed; a base monument from Rahim’s design, representing the country’s strong foundation; and an eagle from Skulski’s, symbolizing the spirit of America. The eagle’s "watchful eye is intended to keep all Americans cognizant and aware of the threat to terrorism."

"I’m really happy they picked the base from my design," said Rahim. "You need a strong foundation for everything, and the base represents the whole foundation."

The memorial — to be built into an existing hill overlooking the Raritan Bay — will feature a courtyard 40 feet in diameter that will be made of earth-toned brick pavers. A circular retaining wall with benches along the inside will surround the courtyard. An ornamental arbor will be constructed over columns to provide filtered shade to visitors.

A 4-foot-high bronze eagle statue will be in the center, overlooking the Raritan toward the former World Trade Center site. A 2-foot granite engraved monument will serve as the base for the eagle.

Lighting will shine on the monument at night.

"I was thinking about Sept. 11 and how the Pentagon and Pennsylvania were involved too," said Skulski. "I wanted something that would represent all of them, something that symbolized strength and freedom."

"I feel like I’m putting a piece of myself there," said Rahim. "I want to show that not all Muslims are bad. One Abdul may have blown up the towers, but another Abdul can represent the Americans and help build a memorial."

The contest was open to all high school students in Middlesex County. Wong, Rahim and Skulski were chosen from among 75 students and now bear the honor of having their names engraved at the site.

CME Associates has volunteered the engineering work for the site at no cost.

Bidding on the project’s construction is expected to take place in May, and the county has included $75,000 in its budget for the project. The freeholders have commissioned Thomas Jay Warren to create the bronze eagle. Warren is the creator of the bronze sculptures at the Middlesex County Veterans Memorial and the three monumental bronze figures at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The monument base on the waterfront memorial will be engraved with the following quote from Daniel Webster:

"May our country itself become a vast and splendid monument, not of oppression and terror, but of wisdom, of peace and of liberty, upon which the world may gaze with admiration forever."