FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2018
Contact: John Lyon 845-638-5645

New City, NY – County Executive Ed Day joined family members and residents to remember the people of Rockland County who were killed 17 years ago in the September 11 terror attacks.

"This is a difficult day for all of us. Reopening our hearts to the fear, anger and pain we felt that bright Tuesday morning seventeen years ago is not an easy task," said County Executive Day. "But it is a trial of will that we must undergo, we must remind the families of those who were lost that day that they are not alone. The heinous wounds inflicted by the attacks that day are still with us."

The ceremony is held every year at the site of the Rockland County September 11 memorial in Haverstraw Bay County Park, which lists the names of 81 people with ties to Rockland who were killed on September 11, 2001, as well Robert Kirkpatrick of Suffern, who died in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

Family members read the list of names of the victims from Rockland County.

The County Executive made special mention of those who have died due to the aftereffects of the terror attacks saying, "it is estimated that in this year or the next more people will have died from breathing toxic air than were killed on that September day. This includes people from the emergency services, those that volunteered, even those that lived or worked nearby. The tragedy, the pain, is ongoing."

A bell was tolled, and a moment of silence observed at 8:46 a.m., in remembrance of the attack on the North Tower of the World Trade Center, and again at 9:03 a.m. in memory of the attack on the South Tower. Four more bells sounded toward the end of the ceremony in remembrance of the attack on the Pentagon, the collapse of the South Tower, the crash of Flight 93 into Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the collapse of the North Tower.

"But as we mark this anniversary, let us not dwell on the pain or the loss. Let us instead focus on how we came together and continue to support each other despite any challenge. When we truly unite, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome. While we must always remember - we must also never, ever forget. Let us all do what we can to preserve our way of life. Remember kindness, remember friendship, remember love, remember those that gave their lives for ours and live a life worthy of their sacrifice," concluded County Executive Day.

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