The Union County Board of County Commissioners commemorated the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001 with a remembrance ceremony on Friday, September 11, 2026 at the Union County September 11th Memorial in Echo Lake Park.
The ceremony included guest speakers, moments of reflection and the unveiling of a new memorial plaque, which will stand alongside our existing memorials.
As we mark this significant anniversary, we remember those we lost, recognize the courage of our first responders and reflect on the lives forever changed by the events of September 11.
About the Memorial
Completed in 2003, this memorial is dedicated to the sixty Union County residents who perished in the 2001 terrorist attacks.
The Union County County Commissioners worked alongside residents of Cranford, Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Summit, Union and Westfield to design this memorial.
Two sections of steel from the World Trade Center are positioned next to each other on a five-sided brick base representing the Pentagon, alongside a sculpture of a hand holding an “Eternal Flame,” memorializing the Armed Service members, emergency responders, and passengers aboard United Flight 93 who lost their lives that day.
The memorial is located on a hill at the border of Mountainside and Springfield in Union County’s Echo Lake Park, near the Springfield Avenue entrance.
Roots of Remembrance 9/11 Memorial Tree Initiative
As we mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, the Sergio Granados Civic Association sought to create a meaningful and lasting way to honor the Union County residents whose lives were lost that day and recognize the families who continue to carry their memories.
Through Roots of Remembrance, one or more trees are planted to honor the individuals being remembered by each participating municipality. Every tree serves as a living tribute to those individuals, their lives and their connections to the community.
Led by the Sergio Granados Civic Association in partnership with Groundwork Elizabeth and the County of Union, the initiative works with participating municipalities to identify suitable public locations and coordinate each planting.
GPS Directions to Memorial
You can use 143 Mill Lane, Mountainside, NJ for your GPS.
The memorial is located on a hill at the border of Mountainside and Springfield in Union County’s Echo Lake Park (view map), near the Springfield Avenue entrance at the eastern end of the park.
Video of the 2026 Ceremony
