If you’ve been to Cresskill’s recreation center recently, you might have noticed a piece of metal right next to the tennis courts. This is Cresskill’s new 9/11 memorial, currently being built. It is a steel beam that came from the parking lot under the Twin Towers. 

The memorial honors two Cresskill residents who lost their lives in the 9/11 tragedy: NYPD sergeant John Coughlin who died saving people in the South Tower, and PAPD officer John Cortazzo who died due to a 9/11-related illness 8 years after working during the recovery effort.  

The town has been working on this since they got the steel in 2015 and it is finally coming to a finish. The memorial is for anyone to visit anytime and is a great way to keep the memory of the victims of 9/11 alive for years to come. 

Being so close to New York City, Cresskill was quite affected by 9/11 – people living here went to work in New York City everyday. Even if they didn’t, the devastation so close to home was a lot to deal with emotionally. This memorial will help grieve and honor all that was lost, it will help heal and bring comfort to anyone who needs it.