Recalling one of the saddest days in American history, Congressman Chris Smith joined a mother of one of the victims, as well as N.J. Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and other officials and local firefighters to unveil a section of steel from the World Trade Center that will be preserved as a memorial at the Colonial Volunteer Fire Company.

    “To Marie Bethke, all of us extend our ongoing condolences to you for your terrible loss and the loss of over 3,000 individuals who died in the Twin Towers, at the Pentagon and in a field in Pennsylvania,” Congressman Chris Smith, NJ-04, said at the event held by the Hamilton Township Fire Chiefs Association at the Colonial Volunteer Fire Co. in Hamilton Township.

    Mrs. Bethke, who attended the event, serves as president of the White Horse Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary, a nearby Hamilton Township fire company. Mrs. Bethke’s son, 36-year-old Hamiltonian Bill Reed Bethke, a computer operator for Marsh Inc., was working in the World Trade Center's north tower when it was struck by a hijacked airliner.

    Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Bill Baroni, a resident of Hamilton Township and a former state senator, presented the section of steel.

    To watch Congressman Smith, Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo, Lt. Gov. Guadagno and Baroni speak, click here.