9/11 Memorial Garden And Sculpture Dedication

Rockland Community College dedicates its Garden on the 11th anniversary of the attacks. The garden was designed as a place of contemplation in memory of those who perished in the attacks on September 11, 2001 and to honor those who serve to keep the nation safe.  

The one-hour ceremony will include the unveiling of a sculpture, poetry reading, musical interludes and recitation of the names of victims with ties to Rockland County. The outdoor program, which is open to the public, will start at 8 a.m. behind the Technology Center on Tuesday, Sept. 11.

Rockland County artist created the garden’s seven-foot tall sculpture, Spirit Rising, which incorporates several pieces of steel from Ground Zero. RCC President Dr. Cliff Wood will speak and Poet Laureate of Rockland County Dan Masterson, an RCC professor and Poet-in-Residence, will read his poem, Out of the Blue. Masterson. Student Veterans Steven Capone, Katherine Dorfman, Kyle Verdeur, John Vitale and Jonathan Winfield of the U.S. Marine Corps, Erin Walsh of the U.S. Army and Justin Chimento of the U.S. Navy will read the names of 9/11 victims with connections to the county.   

RCC Art Professor Page Simon created the 9/11 Memorial Garden design. Specially inscribed bricks are placed throughout the garden. Each brick has been funded by a donation, which provides scholarship funds for students in RCC’s first responder programs: Emergency Medical Service, Fire Protection Technology, Emergency Management, and Criminal Justice. Cathy McErlean-Goddard prepared ceramic tiles for the garden and Don Ruggiere of Omni Landscaping did the landscaping.