Holmdel Township School District and the Holmdel Fire Department recognized Alexander (Alex) Iglesias on the board’s agenda for writing the inscription chosen for a planned 9/11 memorial to be sited at Firehouse Engine No. 2 on Crawford’s Corner Road.

The district, fire department and student leaders showed a design for a marble monument modeled on the World Trade Center towers with a small piece of steel salvaged from the original towers set atop the replica. Janine Arceero, K–12 English and ESL supervisor, described the selection process and read Iglesias’s inscription to the board: “This memorial stands as a tribute to the 2,977 lives lost on 09/11/2001. This piece of steel from the World Trade Center serves as a symbol of resilience, hope, and unity. From it, iron workers cut crosses and presented them to impacted family members. We honor all those who were affected by this tragedy, family, friends, and brave first responders. May their cherished memories inspire peace and compassion in us all.”

Why it matters: the project pairs a tangible historic artifact with student civic engagement and local first-responder participation. Chief Eric Hernando said Holmdel’s fire department regarded the steel as rare and of high symbolic importance and that the department wanted to “share [it] with the community.” Hernando told the board the department expects the monument to be completed and dedicated on Sept. 11, 2026, the 25th anniversary of the attacks, though he added the monument likely will not be finished until that date and the dedication is planned for 2026.

Board and community members described the monument as a collaborative project. The fire department formed a committee to oversee the memorial; committee members named at the meeting included Randy Rauscher and Abdel Alhilawi. School leaders said students who participated in the inscription solicitation came from both the middle school and Holmdel High School.

Fundraising plan: board members and fire department volunteers explained the group has raised significant in‑kind donations (pavers, installation, landscaping and electrical work) but still needs funds to pay for the monument itself. The fundraising vehicle is the sale of custom engraved pavers priced at $125 each; buyers may request up to three lines of text and 16 characters per line on each brick. Fund organizers said paver sales were “almost at 85 or 90%” of the target and extended a previously announced July 31 deadline because of construction and scheduling delays. Organizers said they will distribute a flyer and post information on social media and that interested community members can contact the fire department or school to purchase pavers.

Several board members and attendees pledged immediate purchases during the meeting and asked for the flyer to be emailed and posted on the district’s social channels.

Next steps: the fire department and district will continue fundraising and expect to complete construction and a dedication event on or before Sept. 11, 2026. Those wishing to contribute were instructed to contact the fire department for ordering details.