Through many generous donations, volunteer efforts, and hard work, we reached the goal of making the Richard Cudina Memorial a reality. The Richard Cudina Memorial was officially dedicated on September 11, 2004 in a touching ceremony at the Lebanon Township Memorial Park in Lebanon Township, New Jersey.

 

 

-GOLF OUTING

Richard Cudina was the only victim from Lebanon Township. His neighbor Steve O’Reilly and friends wanted to create a Memorial in his memory in the local park and create a scholarship for a local student in his name. To raise the money needed to fund these projects, the newly formed Memorial Committee sponsored a golf tournament at the Basking Ridge Golf and Country Club on August 26, 2002 (Richard's 47th birthday). With 350+ in attendance the event was a resounding success and the plans were on the way.

You are invited to view a photo gallery of participants enjoying a game of golf.

 

 

-CREATION

With vision and fortitude the memorial was created to be a place for reflection, and while it cannot replace someone we have lost, it is our hope that it can bring peace and strength to the community, as together we celebrate the lives our loved ones.

The journey from inception to completion was a symphony with all the pieces coming together with the input and assistance of numerous friends and neighbors. So much passion and sorrow was spent in that time, the Memorial could not be less than a perfect reflection of remembrance and healing.

You are invited to view the photo galleries which shows the various development stages of the memorial, from inception to dedication.

 

 

2004 Memorial Dedication

The Richard Cudina Memorial was officially dedicated on September 11, 2004 in a touching ceremony at the Lebanon Township Memorial Park in Lebanon Township, New Jersey.

The Richard Cudina Memorial, located in the Lebanon Township Memorial Park’s “Quiet Area,?was created to remember and honor the 3,000 men and women who lost their lives in the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

The dedication took place at 2pm on Saturday, September 11, 2004 in the Memorial Park on Bunnvale Road in Lebanon Township. Speakers included The Honorable Michael A. Ferguson of the US House of Representatives, New Jersey State Senator Leonard Lance, Hunterdon County Freeholder Marcia A. Karrow, and Eileen Swan, Master of Ceremonies and Lebanon Township Mayor.

For a map to the Memorial Park please click here. (coming soon)

You are invited to view a photo gallery which shows the dedication.

 

 

-2008 CEREMONY

Each September 11th many residents of Lebanon Township gather at the Richard Cudina Memorial to remember, reflect and pray. On 9-11-2008 a more formal remembrance included the placement of 3,000 flags in a field near the Memorial representing the lives lost in the terrorist attacks. In addition, six large flags were placed in the field for the soldiers lost in the Iraq/Afghanistan war. The ceremony included Rev. John Wheatley, Rev. Andrew Paton, Pastor Chad Rodgers, Rev. William Mickiewicz, The Hunterdon Harmonizers, and the Hunterdon/Somerset Pipes and Drums.

You are invited to view a photo gallery which shows the “Field of Flags?
 

2009 Commemoration
A formal Remembrance was held on September 11, 2009. The ceremony included keynote speaker Mike Rubright, principal of the Woodglen School in Lebanon Township, Jeanne D. Ashmore, director for the Office of Congressman Leonard Lance, Pastor Chad Rodgers of Lower Valley Presbyterian Church lead with opening and closing prayers, Navy Chaplain Geoffrey Stanley did a tribute to our Veterans and Soldiers, the Hunterdon Harmonizers, and the Hunterdon/Somerset Pipes and Drums provided patriotic music. Steve O’Reilly introduced the planned Veterans Memorial; a ribbon cutting ceremony took place with local veterans. The students of the nearby elementary school placed 3000 flags in a field by the 9/11 memorial it is for them this Memorial was created, “while we who experienced that day will never forget, the children entering school today are only able to learn of the tragedy as a brief history lesson. But when able to look across a field of 3,000 flags, each representing a life lost that day, they are able to envision unerringly the enormity of what happened on 9/11/2001” written by Mike Rubright.

2010 Commemoration
An informal gathering of friends, family and residents commemorated September 11, 2009 with light refreshments and the sharing memories of that horrific day. The field of 3000 flags was visited throughout the day by residents and school children; they stand to remind us of the 3000 men and women that who died without reason that tragic day.

2011 Commemoration
Those who died in the terrorist attacks were honored on the 10th anniversary of the tragedy. All who attended could not believe ten years has passed as the day still stands vivid in their memory, as if it were yesterday. The Commemoration began with a gathering in the park pavilion with 3000 U.S. flags gracing the field each representing a victim . The Hunterdon Harmonizers and the Somerset County Police Pipes and Drums provided pre-ceremony music. The National Anthem was sung by Brittany Hill. The program began with the pledge of allegiance and a welcoming speech by Georgia Cudina. The Most Rev.Paul Bootkoski, Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen led the opening and closing prayers. The keynote speaker was Congressman Leonard Lance. Guest speakers were Sen. Mike Doherty, the honorable Christie Whitman and Michael Rubright, of Woodglen School. The Somerset county Pipes and Drums Corps escorted attendees to the Field of flags Where Brianna Hill played taps. The reading of IN REMEMBRANCE by Lieutenant Tome Robinson, was read by Patrick McCluskey and WHAT HAPPENED/ by Gwen Loiacono, was read by Kelly O’Reilly.

You are invited to view a photo gallery with a video of the ceremony.

2012, 2013, 2014 Remembrance
An informal gathering with local citizens, family and friends at the Richard Cudina Memorial to pay tribute to victims of 9/11, to share memories of that tragic day and to offer prayers that it will never happened again . Refreshments were provided to visitors.

2015 Remembrance
An informal gathering, prayers and refreshments