Bonnie Brae's 9/11 Field of Flags

in Liberty Corner is marking the ten-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack with a tribute to local veterans, first responders, and those families who lost loved ones in the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001.

Students at the private school and residential treatment center were busy early this week in time to cover the large front field of the campus with flags. Each of the 2,977 flags represented one the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, said Cathy Phillips, spokeswoman for Bonnie Brae.

From Valley Road, the flags are visible on the front lawn of the school's 100-acre property in the Liberty Corner section of the township.

Many of the adolescent students residing at Bonnie Brae have only vague memories of the attacks, and some were too young to remember the day at all, said a news release from the school.

Bonnie Brae Principal Donna Crane and Coach Tom Melvin said they feel the flag display is a positive way to educate the students about the day, while also paying respect to our local veterans, first responders, and the families of those who lost their lives.

Additionally, a luncheon will be held on campus on Friday, Sept. 9, with invited guests to include the Basking Ridge Fire Co., the Liberty Corner Fire Co. and Rescue Squad, as well as local veterans residing at the Lyons Veterans Administration facility across the street from Bonnie Brae.

Crane said of the school project, “The field of flags is a wonderful way to mark the occasion and pay our respects to those who continue to put their lives on the line to protect our community.”  The flags will be displayed on the field for the next three weeks, and will be visible from Valley Road, the main street that passes in front of the Bonnie Brae campus.

Bonnie Brae is a residential school for boys in Bernards Township for 97 adolescent male students, ages 8 through 18, who are trying to get their lives back on track through therapy and education, according to the school.