An Empty Sky, Full Hearts: NJ Remembers 9/11

JERSEY CITY, NJ — The Empty Sky memorial in Liberty State Park was anything but empty on Saturday. People from across the state gathered on each side of the walls — talking, learning, reminiscing and remembering what they could about Sept. 11.

Families walked through with children who asked curiously about the shiny walls next to them, "No touching baby, not here," one father whispered to his daughter, as they respectfully made their way through the memorial.

Another family lifted their little girl to a higher point on the wall so that her hand could graze the one of the engraved names. "That's grandpa, say hi to grandpa," the family exclaimed. They smiled alongside their daughter. Their faces didn't show sadness but remembrance.

The memorial and Saturday's ceremony honored the 749 New Jerseyans who died on 9/11 at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, PA. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy was present alongside his wife, Tammy Murphy, as well as Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker.

"Time may have dried our collective tears, but it will never erase those we lost," Murphy told the crowd, "The sky will never truly be empty."

A message of unity and love was central to all the officials' speeches.

"I truly believe if we can harness the unity and compassion we felt in the aftermath of 9/11, there's nothing we can't achieve," said Sen. Menendez

Sen. Booker spoke to the resilience of the people of New Jersey, despite not only the 9/11 attacks but the COVID-19 pandemic and the disastrous floods brought just a few weeks ago by Tropical Storm Ida.

"You can beat us down, but we'll get back up," Sen. Booker said, "New Jersey, we know life is fragile, but we know the power of love — death can end a life, but it can never end our love."

Below are photos of the ceremony: