March 28, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Midland Park Broad-based community involvement is expected as the Midland Park Volunteer Fire Department builds its new memorial complex adjacent to the firehouse on Witte Drive. It will be officially dedicated on or about Sept. 11, 2012. According to fire Chief Mark Berninger, nearly all the town’s landscaping contrac- Contractors start work on new memorial complex tors, spearheaded by Jacobsen Landscape, have already volunteered to do the work on the ambitious project, and residents and businesses are being asked to contribute funds and/or materials to complete the work. Jacobsen’s Mark Milidantri designed the project and is coordinating the volunteer effort. The focal point of the memorial will be the 2,800-lb steel beam section from the World Trade Center Berninger was able to secure from the Port Authority last year. It will be raised 8-10 ft. off the ground, flanked by the gong memorial now on the site; a memorial for fireman Pat Witte, who died on the line of duty in 1985; and three trees previously dedicated in memory of deceased firefighters John Tulner, former Chief Chris Englishman, and Todd Sommerock. The Sommerock tree was relocated to its place in the new design by East Coast Landscape last week. Plaques for Joseph Roberto and Midland Park High School graduate Neil Shastri, who died in the World Trade Center attack, will also be incorporated. The landscape design includes a two-tier 200-ft. interlocking modular block wall, flowering shrubs for seasonal color, irrigation, low-voltage lighting and several benches. There will be barrier-free access from the Greenwood Avenue parking lot. Berninger applied for a memento from the terrorist attack about three years ago and heard nothing until last spring, when he was notified a small stone, which would not have been suitable for a memorial, had been allocated. He reapplied to the Port Authority and found out his department had been selected only when it was decided to limit allocations to just New York and New Jersey. He said Midland Park’s piece is believed to have been part of an interior column from one of the Twin Towers. The fire department has scheduled a couple of fundraisers this spring to fund the Above: Mark Milidantri, left, and Mark Berninger review the landscape design. Right: East Coast Landscape volunteers relocate the flowering tree dedicated to the memory of Todd Sommerock. project. A beefsteak dinner is set for April 27, and a golf outing for May 7. The department has also set up a separate non-profit fund to receive donations for the project. Contributions may be made out to MPFD 911 Fund and mailed to 45 Witte Drive, Midland Park 07432. For details, contact Chief Berninger at 201-445-5721 or email him at mpfd531@hotmail.com.