Paramus comes together to remember at Freedom Walk

The tradition of the Paramus Freedom Walk continued Sept. 8, even after its founder left for college.

PHOTO/RICHARD FORMICOLA

The Freedom Walk Committee, including Chairman Joey Rizzolo (left), place flowers at Howland Memorial Grove in honor of the seven Paramus residents who died on 9/11.

The candlelight walk, which starts and ends at the Paramus Bandshell behind the library's main branch, honors troops, first responders and the 2,977 victims of the 9/11 attacks. Chairman Joey Rizzolo returned from college to lead the seventh annual event. Rizzolo started the event when he was a middle school student.

"Over the past seven years we have come together as a community to remember those who passed in the tragic events of 9/11," Rizzolo said. "Tonight we continue to remember those first responders, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends that we lost on that day."

The seven Paramus residents who died that day - Jack D'Ambrosi Jr., Deborah Kaplan, Paul Laszczynski, Joseph Navas, Dominique Pandolfo, Thomas Sinton and Julie Lynne Zipper - were given special recognition, with the procession stopping for a ceremony at the plaques placed in their honor at Howland Memorial Grove.

"Our town, Paramus, felt this loss close to home with the passing of seven members of our community," Rizzolo said.

The soldiers who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, who number more than 9,000, received special recognition from Mayor Richard LaBarbiera.

"Obviously the freedoms we enjoy every day and sometimes, regretfully, take for granted, come with a heavy price," LaBarbiera said. "These lives are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends, neighbors and above all Americans that made the ultimate sacrifice, for which we are forever indebted."

The entire event was free and open to the public, with hamburgers provided by Suburban Diner and grilled by the Paramus Elk's Club. Bahama Breeze, Paramus Boy Scouts and the Paramus Public Library also volunteered support for the event.

The rest is here:
Paramus comes together to remember at Freedom Walk