Annual ceremony is set to include family members of 9/11 victims.
WEST ORANGE -- For the fourteenth year in a row, Eagle Rock Reservation will host the county's September 11 commemoration ceremony, "Essex County Remembers."
The county this week announced the details of the solemn ceremony, which will include family members of locals who died in the terrorist attacks. The ceremony, which begins at 8 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, will include a wreath laying at the memorial and raising of a new American flag, officials said.
For those who visit the site after the ceremony, a string quartet will remain at the memorial until 2 p.m., officials said.
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"After the attacks, people spontaneously came to Eagle Rock Reservation to view the tragedy unfold at the Twin Towers and leave cards, letters, photos and flowers in an impromptu memorial in honor of their loved ones," County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo said in a statement about the event.
"Our September 11th Memorial is a special place for people to come for solace and comfort because of its unique location and its powerful message of peace and hope."
At last year's event, victims' families spoke of the hope remembrance ceremonies give them.
"Every year I leave (the Essex County 9/11 ceremony) with the hope that instead of the hatred that killed my husband... that peace one day will prevail," Mary Ellen Salamon said at last year's ceremony.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.