Eagle Oaks Debuts 9/11 Memorial

Just ahead of the 4th of July weekend Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club welcomed a piece of American history which will now serve as a cornerstone of the Farmingdale club as part of a continuing mission of the members.

This year will mark 12 years since the tragedy of September 11, 2001 and the club now has a piece of the World Trade Center on its property. The Eagle Oaks 9/11 Memorial was funded and constructed by members of the club and was built in tribute to the first responders who lost their lives and gave their time in New York, Washington DC and Shanksville, PA.

Support for the troops and first responders is nothing new for Eagle Oaks as each year they welcome a contingent of soliders, sailors and Marines at an event geared toward them. Appropriately named Honor Day, it not only provides the participants a chance to take to the course but also enjoy a special banquet in their honor.

Honor Day has also included Port Authority Police Department members who helped to pick the piece of the towers that would be brought across the Hudson River to New Jersey. The 5800 pound piece is a three story tall beam that stood between the 82nd and 85th floor of One World Trade Center. The memorial also includes a Port Authority Police Department Walkway of Heroes which includes bricks with the names of the 37 officers who gave their life on that tragic day.

Domenic Gatto, who serves as Chairman and President of the club said it was an honor to have such a historic piece of history on their property. “We know freedom is not free. That is why so many brave first responders ran into the World Trade Center Towers on 9/11 to save lives while sacrificing their own,” he said. “We will never forget their ultimate sacrifice, and it is a true honor to have this strong and resilient steel with us at Eagle Oaks to remember and salute the heroism and courage of so many.”

Club board member Joe Cary also served on the 9/11 Memorial Committee and said seeing the steel arrive was a momentous occasion. “This steel was offered to the golf course as port of the work we do with Honor Day. We are an extremely patriotic group of people at Eagle Oaks.” He added, “We hope that this memorial will give the 9/11 families a sense of peace and provide a place of reflection and thought.”

The committee also included William Cary, Robert Smith, William “Boomer” Weaver, J. Rick Nelson, Mark Walko, Domenic F. Gatto, Tom McHale of the Port Authority, Michael Maroney, Alfonso Sollecito, Salvatore Spinelli Jr., Todd Cohen, Barry Halprin and David Chip Schulz.

Also in attendance were families of people who lost their lives in the attacks. “It’s very heartwarming to still be remembered after all these years,” said Joan Callahan whose husband Liam Callahan was one of the Port Authority officers killed that day. “It’s so nice to know people are still remembering,” added Mary Froehner, widow of fellow PAPD officer Greg Froehner. “It’s a gorgeous memorial.

The Eagle Oaks monument is one of many across the country and across the area that have been donated by the Port Authority. Since the attacks the Port Authority has provided more than 1000 pieces of steel to communities all over to serve as a reminder of that day and those that gave their lives.