Shattered Panel on 9/11 Memorial Will be Replaced by Anniversary

The glass panel on Westfield's 9/11 memorial that was shattered by suspected vandals in February is expected to be replaced in time for this year's annual commemoration service.

The etched pane on the west side of the monument was smashed by an unknown suspect or suspects with an unknown object, Westfield Police told Patch in February. At this time, the crime remains unsolved. 

Sherry Cronin, executive director of the Downtown Westfield Corporation, said the new panel is expected to be in place later this summer. 

"Some of the names changed since it was originally done in 2002 and it took a few proofs to get the victims' names right," Cronin stated.

The cost to replace the panel, $9,200, will be paid for by the Town of Westfield's insurance.

Each September 11, hundreds gather in Memorial Park, located at North Avenue and East Broad Street, to honor the lives lost and pay tribute to the heroism of first responders. 

The park was dedicated on Sept. 21, 2002 and honors all the victims who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. The obelisk displays the names of all the victims while the 12 granite pillars that surround it are dedicated to each of the 12 Westfielders who perished in the terrorist attacks: Andrew J. Alameno, David Otey Campbell, Michael A. Davidson, Dean P. Eberling, Stephen Mark Fogel, Thomas Glasser, Leo Russell Keene III, Richard B. Madden, John "Pepe" Salerno, See-Wong Shum, Anthony Starita, and Jim Walsh.