Cedar Grove, NJ - Twenty years ago, 2,977 of our friends and neighbors lost their lives in a series of craven attacks against civilians on American soil. We met up with David Schoner, founder of Cedar Grove Waves, now in its 7th year, to learn more about how the organization is keeping their memory alive. Cedar Grove Waves recently raised over $1,300 towards much needed lighting around the 9/11 memorial at Cedar Grove High School, but still needs about $3,000 to complete the project.
David is Associate Director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and TV Commission and Vice-President of the Cedar Grove Board of Education. He is a long time volunteer with the Cedar Grove school system having produced 5 videos for the district and contributed to 3 successful bond referendums.
What is Cedar Grove Waves and how did it start?
David: Cedar Grove Waves started 7 years ago. The idea of having the flag installation came from a business trip I was on in California around 2010. I was driving up the Pacific Coast Highway with coworkers and when we went past Pepperdine University, there was a sea of flags on their massive lawn. I made sure that we stopped at the University on the way back and I found out that they put the flags to represent each life lost on September 11.
Later, at my dinner table with my sons, I was discussing September 11th and they had no clue, no idea about the impact of it. The toll of the devastation. I thought about Pepperdine University; their installation was massive – with full size flags. I knew that would not be possible at Cedar Grove High School – because of cost and the small land size, but nevertheless, I knew a smaller version – that would be as impactful – could happen.
Have you connected personally with the stories of people impacted directly by 9/11 through your work?
David: I totally have connected with the stories of people that have been impacted by 9/11 through my work. Everyone has a story of that day and they want to tell that story. They want people to listen, they want to share it and I listen.
What can we do to help educate future generations about the 9/11 attacks of which they have no memory?
David: Today’s young people are visual learners and that is the goal of having the flags on the front lawn. 2,977 flags and name markers in front of each flag attach a person’s name to it. It’s a personal connection. When you see the flags, you can see the magnitude of the lives lost.
What are your hopes for Cedar Grove Waves for the future?
David: That the flags, 9/11 monument and seminars will continue to cause a conversation with our young people that were too young to remember, so they can never forget. We made a promise to the people that died that day that we would never forget.
If you had the money and volunteers, is there a larger project that Cedar Grove Waves would like to achieve?
David: The ultimate goal would be to install regular size flags (we currently install knee high) on the lawn and have them spread out all over it.
Arranging for our students to visit the 9/11 National Museum would be amazing. The museum takes your breath away and it truly does what the goals of Cedar Grove Waves: Educate, Remember and Honor.
How can people help Cedar Grove Waves to continue its mission?
Anyone interested in helping to remember those lost on 9/11 to future generations who did not witness events firsthand can donate towards much needed lighting and improvements to the 9/11 memorial located at Cedar Grove High School through the link below:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/2021-Cedar-Grove-Waves
