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On June 11, the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Father Robert G. Lynam, pastor, St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish, Kendall Park, presided at a blessing and dedication of a redwood tree and memorial stone in memory of Daniel Mark Anderl at the parish’s school.
Anderl, a 2014 graduate of the school and the only child of United States District Court Judge Esther Salas and defense attorney Mark Anderl, gave his life to protect his mother and father July 19, 2020.
Daniel and his father were shot at the front door of the family’s home in North Brunswick by suspected shooter Roy Den Hollander, who was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Anderl, who was a 2018 graduate of Saint Joseph High School, Metuchen, would have been a junior at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
The monument, which was paid for by private donations, was created by Clinton Monument, Jamesburg, and a cross came from Holy Cross Cemetery, East Brunswick, Father Lynam said.
The redwood tree was donated by Jeff Baumley, owner of Baumley Nursery, Princeton, who is also a member of the parish and whose children attended its school. Baumley said he chose to donate the approximately 20-foot-high deciduous tree — called an Ogun Dawn Redwood that he grew from a height of 18 to 24 inches at his nursery — “for its strength and longevity…to be there for generations, for Daniel’s family and members of the parish to visit.”
The tree, which can grow up to 70 feet and seems resistant to disease or blight, is “fast growing and very strong.”
“I have never seen damage of one from wind breakage,” said Baumley, who has a grove of 44 similar redwoods at his home.
In the Prayer of Blessing, Father Lynam said: “Almighty God and Father, it is our certain faith that your Son, who died on the cross, was raised from the dead, the first fruits of all who have fallen asleep. Grant that through this mystery your servant, Daniel Mark Anderl, who has gone to his rest in Jesus Christ, now shares in the joy of his resurrection.
“O God, your mercy is without measure, the treasures of your goodness without limit. We thank your gentle majesty for the favors you have bestowed on us, especially through the life of Daniel Mark Anderl, who has touched so many while on this earth, and continues to bless from his place in heaven. As we do so, we appeal to your compassion: stay close to those whose petitions you have granted through the intercession and graces of Daniel from above, and will continue to do, and prepare us for the rewards of the life to come.
“Bless this Redwood Tree and Memorial Stone in honor of the strength and life of Daniel who became a ‘superior force’ on Sunday, July 19, 2020, as he offered his life for his mother and father, and in gratitude for the Federal Marshals who in Daniel’s memory have planted 20 trees throughout the national parks of this great land.
“May all who walk by this memorial always remember the gift that Daniel was to this school and parish community, and we bless this tree and memorial stone, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Father Lynam said he chose to hold it on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus because just as the Church celebrates the love and mercy that flows from it, “Daniel’s heart was also filled with great love, great compassion.”
In her comments, Salas noted that it is said that horrific events bring out what is wonderful about human beings.
“Since we lost Daniel,” she continued, “we have been the recipients of acts of kindness, of love, of support of which I can stand here all day and speak of those various moments that we have been blessed to have.”
Later, Salas held up a keepsake that included a seeming prophetic reference to Baumley’s donation written by her son. On a depiction of an angel that Daniel made as a student, it said: “Every day I will stop air pollution by turning off the lights before I leave and I will plant more trees so people can breathe.’”
Addressing the children, Salas said, “You can choose to think about only yourself or think about everyone around you.
“You can choose to say, ‘I am not in the mood to go to church,’ or you can choose to go to get God’s help and thank God and Mary for all they have done in your life.
“You can choose to be angry and mad when someone does something wrong to you, or forgive them.
“Daniel will be with you…your families will be with you and always remember that God lives within you and will be with you forever.”
