SHRUB OAK, N.Y. — Yorktown officials, religious leaders, veterans and first responders gathered at the Shrub Oak Memorial Pavilion and Park in a moving ceremony to mark the 24th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
Scouts from Troop 174 presented the colors, with veterans from American Legion Post 1009 on hand.
Speaking to the gathering, Supervisor Ed Lachterman noted that in addition to the thousands who lost their lives on the day of the attacks, even more have fallen to 9/11-related illnesses, including first responders and workers who were exposed to the hazards of the debris.
September 11, 2001, he noted, was much like today — a beautiful, cloudless late summer morning.
"At 8:46 a.m. that would all change," Lachterman said, noting the time the first plane crashed into the North Tower. It was when a second plane hit the South Tower at 9:03 a.m. that "we all realized we were under attack."
Lachterman praised the "unbelievable acts of courage" demonstrated by first responders during the attack and the days following.
Yorktown Chabad Rabbi Yahuda Haber and Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church Msgr. Joseph Giandurco led the gathering in prayers for peace, made all the more poignant in the wake of political violence on U.S. soil.
Offering the invocation, Haber said the events of 9/11 "taught us a difficult truth."
"Evil destroys," he said. "Hatred consumes. Violence tears down what is precious."
Yet, he said, "God has given us another path."
"Hatred takes life but kindness gives life," he said. "Violence divides but love unites."
Karen Trendell of the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce sang the National Anthem and “Amazing Grace.” Yorktown High School senior Ichiro Iizuka and freshman Owen Griffiths played taps as the community paused to remember.
Lachterman read the names of the five Yorktown residents who died that day and whose names are etched in the stone of the town’s memorial: Patrick Danahy, Simon Dedvukaj, Alan Friedlander, Paul Fiori and Barry McKeon.
"Unfortunately, the victims of the attack did not end on 9/11," Lachterman said. "We have now witnessed more victims of 9/11 illness than 2,977 innocents who were lost in the attacks."
Lachterman called the people who came to help despite the risks "heroes who put their lives on the line during America's darkest days," including "first responders from our community who volunteered to go to the rubble" as well as military personnel who fought in the war on terror.
In his benediction, Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church pastor Msgr. Joseph Giandurco prayed for the victims, their families and the many courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to help others.
He asked God to “watch over all first responders like so many who gave their lives or risked their lives” on 9/11.
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for others,” he said.
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