One Army veteran's dedication brings September 11th memorial to Mullica Hill

MULLICA HILL, N.J. (WTXF) - A small town in South Jersey is paying tribute to those lives lost in the September 11th attacks. A local veteran spearheaded a new memorial, with one main goal - no one should ever forget.

"As soon as you see it, you remember. You think about what the day is about and all the people sacrificed that day. You can't miss it driving by," Alyse Dvorak, a resident of Mullica Hill, said.

2 granite replicas of the World Trade Center are towering atop a hill in the grounds of the historic Mullica Hill Baptist Church.

"It's just so wonderful it's in the center of our town," Alyse exclaimed.

Crowds of people came out to be part of the dedication ceremony Sunday evening.

"We had to come, we had to come," Alice Talucci, of Harrison Township, said.

"I think it's amazing because not a lot of towns have a memorial like this," stated Jenna Dvorak.

She's right about that.

On display, allowing everyone to touch and reflect on, artifacts from all three terrorist attack sites.

It took years of relentless pursuance and an undying sense of dedication to get them.

"I would call every month, sometimes twice a month and they ran out. They said to us all of the artifacts were gone," said Dennis Clowney, Commander of American Legion Post 452.

As luck would have it, somebody already allotted a 6-foot piece of the World Trade Center, didn't pick theirs up. Clowney scored that for Mullica Hill, New Jersey.

He tried his luck at getting a piece of the Pentagon, and a stone from the crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The Army veteran doesn't know anybody who died in the 9-11 attacks, but he says the bond runs deeper.

"They need to be remembered. This shouldn't be forgotten," Clowney stated.

"It is the epitome of what small town America is," said Harrison Township Mayor Lou Manzo.

"I think it's a pretty cool place. Pretty awesome and we got to represent our town in front of everyone," said Boy Scout Greg Gallagher.

"It's really sad when you think about it. The lives, sacrifice, but it's really cool to be here to see this," said Joseph Tortella.

"It's amazing. I'm just so proud to be part of this community," stated Alyse.