SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — A memorial for victims of terrorism sits off to the side of Cooper River Park in Camden. It’s a shell of what it once was, back when it was built in 2002.
The memorial has fallen on tough times, so officials in Camden are rebuilding it as a vow to never forget those who died at the hands of terrorists.
The $200,000 project also intends to move the memorial and make it more grandiose.
“We’re going to move it down from where it is now and it’s going to be a really, really nice piece,” said Camden County Commissioner Jonathan Young Sr.
He said the new memorial will incorporate artifacts from 9/11, including steel from the World Trade Center and a piece of wall from the Pentagon. It will also feature bronze markers to honor local victims of more than a half-dozen terror attacks.
“Folks that are family members of victims whose names appear on those plaques, it’s going to be a really good place for them to go and sit and reflect,” Young said. “I’m a huge proponent of never forgetting bad or good and always using it to avenge yourself.”
The rebuild is expected to finish later this year, in time to serve as a starting point for the Travis Manion Foundation 9/11 Heroes Run.