Roots of Remembrance
9/11 Memorial Tree Initiative
Commemorating 25 Years Since September 11, 2001
An initiative of the Sergio Granados Civic Association, in partnership with Groundwork Elizabeth and the County of Union
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. This page documents the communities, memorial locations and individuals being honored, along with photographs from each completed planting.
A Living Tribute
Trees are selected in coordination with each participating municipality based on the planting location and the community’s preferences. Tree species may vary from one municipality to another.
Commemorative plaques bearing each name accompany the trees, recognizing both the municipalities these individuals called home and the meaningful community connections they built during their lives.
Each plaque also features a QR code linking to this site, where visitors can learn more about the individuals being honored and the local tributes created in their memory.
As the trees grow and become part of their surroundings, they will provide lasting places for family members, friends and future generations to pause, reflect and remember.
Participating Communities
All 15 Union County municipalities identified as home communities of residents lost on September 11, 2001, were invited to take part in Roots of Remembrance. The communities featured below elected to participate in the 2026 initiative. Mountainside is also committed to a future planting, which will be coordinated when its park is ready.
Select a community below to view its memorial location, the individuals being honored and details from the planting.
Berkeley Heights
Memorial location:
- Bicentennial & 9/11 Memorial Park
- 198 Park Avenue
Tree species:
- Eastern Redbud
Honoring:
- Scott Hazelcorn
- Lt. Commander Patrick Jude Murphy
About:
One memorial tree was planted in Berkeley Heights in memory of Scott Hazelcorn and Lt. Commander Patrick Jude Murphy. Hazelcorn worked for Cantor Fitzgerald in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Murphy was a U.S. Navy officer working at the Pentagon.
Members of the Hazelcorn family took part in the planting and shared memories of Scott, as well as the work their family has carried forward in his honor. Their efforts have included advocacy for families affected by September 11, support and healing groups, and a camp that served children who lost parents in the attacks for 12 years. For the 25th anniversary, the family also helped organize a community wiffle ball game inspired by an activity Scott loved.
Mayor Angie Devanney, Councilman Alvaro Medeiros, Union County Commissioners Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded and Rebecca Williams, representatives of Groundwork Elizabeth and the Sergio Granados Civic Association, township officials and community members participated in the planting.
Elizabeth
Memorial location:
- Winfield Scott Park
- Winfield Scott Plaza
Tree species:
- Eastern Redbud
Photos coming soon
Honoring:
- Arcelia Castillo
- Carlos S. DaCosta
- Colleen Laura Fraser
- Margaret Susan Lewis
- Frankie Serrano
- Anthony Tempesta
About:
Six Eastern Redbud trees were planted at Winfield Scott Park in memory of the six Elizabeth residents who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. A commemorative plaque bearing each person’s name accompanies the trees, creating a permanent place of remembrance within the city they called home.
Mayor J. Christian Bollwage joined representatives of Groundwork Elizabeth and the Sergio Granados Civic Association for the planting.
Kenilworth
Memorial location:
- Louis Memorial Park
- 16th Street and Sheridan Avenue
Tree species:
- Two Eastern Redbuds
Photos coming soon
Honoring:
- Robert M. Kaulfers
- John J. Tobin
About:
Two Eastern Redbud trees were planted at Louis Memorial Park in memory of Kenilworth residents Robert M. Kaulfers and John J. Tobin. The trees and accompanying plaques provide a lasting place for remembrance in the Kenilworth community.
Mayor Linda Karlovitch, Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli and Councilwoman Toni Giordano Picerno joined representatives of Groundwork Elizabeth and the Sergio Granados Civic Association for the planting.
Rahway
Memorial location:
- Salvatore M. Mione Park
- 1414 New Church Street
Tree species:
- Three Sugar Maples
Honoring:
- Tyrone May
- Manette Marie Beckles
- Mark Stephen Carney
About:
Three Sugar Maple trees were planted at Salvatore M. Mione Park in memory of Tyrone May, Manette Marie Beckles and Mark Stephen Carney.
The trees create a lasting place of remembrance for the three individuals and their connection to the Rahway community.
Mayor Raymond Giacobbe, Union County Commissioners Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded and James Baker, and representatives of Groundwork Elizabeth and the Sergio Granados Civic Association participated in the planting
Roselle Park
Memorial location:
- Kelly-Kaulfers Memorial Park
- Laurel Avenue
Tree species:
- Four Eastern Redbuds
Photos coming soon
Honoring:
- John G. Ueltzhoeffer of Roselle Park
- Robert A. Hepburn of Union
- Thomas J. Fisher of Union
- Robert M. Kaulfers of Kenilworth
Four Eastern Redbud trees were planted in Roselle Park to honor individuals who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
One tree honors Roselle Park resident John G. Ueltzhoeffer.
At the request of Mayor Joseph Signorello Jr., the planting also recognizes Robert A. Hepburn and Thomas J. Fisher of Union and Robert M. Kaulfers of Kenilworth, each of whom had close ties to the Roselle Park community.
Mayor Signorello joined representatives of Groundwork Elizabeth and the Sergio Granados Civic Association for the planting.
Scotch Plains
Memorial location:
- September 11 Memorial Site
- 430 Park Avenue
Tree species:
- Three Eastern Redbuds
Photos coming soon
Honoring:
- Matthew Horning
- Mark Rothenberg
- James Walsh
About:
Scotch Plains became the first community to participate in Roots of Remembrance. Three Eastern Redbud trees were planted near the September 11 Memorial Site at 430 Park Avenue, one in memory of each Scotch Plains resident lost in the attacks: Matthew Horning, Mark Rothenberg and James Walsh. Each tree is accompanied by a commemorative plaque bearing the name of the person it honors.
Mayor Joshua G. Losardo, Deputy Mayor Matthew S. Adams and Municipal Manager Margaret C. Heisey joined representatives of Groundwork Elizabeth and the Sergio Granados Civic Association for the planting. Members of the Horning family also participated, and Matthew’s mother shared memories of her son during the commemoration.
Springfield
Memorial location:
- Patriot Park
- Mountain Avenue and Wabeno Avenue
Tree species:
- One White Oak
- One Sugar Maple
Photos coming soon
Honoring:
- JoAnn L. Heltibridle
- Lee Adler
About:
A White Oak and a Sugar Maple were planted at Patriot Park in memory of JoAnn L. Heltibridle and Lee Adler.
The trees create a permanent place of remembrance within the Springfield community. The planting received the full support of Mayor Harris Laufer.
Members of the Springfield Township administration joined representatives of Groundwork Elizabeth and the Sergio Granados Civic Association for the planting.
Westfield
Memorial location:
- Westfield September 11 Memorial
- North Avenue and East Broad Street
Tree species:
- One memorial tree
Honoring:
- Andrew J. Alameno
- Michael A. Davidson
- Stephen Mark Fogel
- Leo Russell Keene III
- Richard B. Madden
- John “Pepe” Salerno Jr.
- See-Wong Shum
- Anthony Starita
About:
One memorial tree was planted at the Westfield September 11 Memorial in remembrance of the eight residents recognized by the County as having called Westfield home.
The tree serves as a shared living tribute to their lives, memories and connections to the Westfield community.
Union County Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded joined representatives of the Sergio Granados Civic Association and Groundwork Elizabeth for the planting.