Rockland County Marks September 11th Anniversary

 
New City, NY, – County Executive Ed Day and other local officials joined family members, first responders and residents to remember the people with ties to Rockland County who were killed 20 years ago in the September 11th terror attacks.

“The support you’re showing today is just the latest example of the community that has grown and crystalized to care for one another in response to the terror, anger and fear we felt on that bright Tuesday morning 20 years ago,” said County Executive Day while addressing those attending the Memorial Service. “Our community, this connection, that we share, as tragic as it is, speaks volumes about all of you here today and about our home Rockland County. It speaks to our resilience and the power of support.”

The ceremony is held every year at the site of the Rockland County September 11 Memorial at 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 February 26, 1993, World Trade Center bombing (82 total names). As part of the ceremony family members read the names of the 82 victims from Rockland County.

A bell was tolled, and a moment of silence observed at 8:46 AM, in remembrance of the attack on the North Tower of the World Trade Center, and again at 9:03 AM in memory of the attack on the South Tower. Five 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, the collapse of the North Tower, and the World Trade Center Bombing in 1993.

During the Memorial Service the North Rockland High School Choir performed the National Anthem and the Pearl River High School Choir performed God Bless America. Fire boats from the Wayne Hose Company of the Stony Point Fire Department and David B. Roche of the Thiells Fire Department also took part in the Service.

“We come together today both to remember and as a testament because we have learned that while we may not always be able to prevent tragedies in our lives, we can do our best to control how we respond to them,” Rockland County Legislator Aney Paul said. “We can and have chosen compassion, resilience and hope in the face of the horrors that have confronted us and as individuals and a nation worked hard to move forward. We must never forget those lost, their families and friends, and we must keep the flame of liberty forever lit in our hearts.” 

The Rockland County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard and Rockland County Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums Band took part in the opening and closing of the commemoration. United Hospice of Rockland provided the roses which were placed at the Memorial.

“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. We are strong, we are resilient and 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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