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MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. – A large crowd of villagers gathered at Mount Kisco’s 9/11 Memorial on Tuesday night to honor those who died 11 years ago during the terror attacks on New York City.
Mayor Michael Cindrich, members of Mount Kisco’s Fire and Police departments, first responders, members of the American Legion, Boy Scouts and village officials attended the service on the Village Green. County dignitaries also showed up, including state Sen. Greg Ball, Assemblyman Robert Castelli, County Legislator Peter Harckham and Amy Vargas, representing Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
In his address, Castelli reminded the crowd of the true purpose of the day: honoring its victims and its heroes. “What we remember today are the 3,000 victims who suffered the worst terrorist attack, and the brave men and women who rushed into the building while many others were trying to rush out,” he said.
Members of the crowd stood in silent reverence with their hands over hearts. The Mount Kisco Ancient Fife and Drum Corps played the National Anthem and a flag was raised to honor those who lost their lives that bright and sunny Tuesday morning, a morning that turned into one of the darkest days in American history.
The service was hosted by the Mount Kisco Volunteer Fire Department, whose 9/11 Memorial was funded by individuals and businesses in town. The Mount Kisco Chamber of Commerce honored the Fire Department’s 9/11 Memorial Committee at its Citizen of the Year awards banquet in May.
The memorial, which consists of two pillars of black granite symbolizing the World Trade Center towers, was dedicated in a ceremony on the 10th anniversary of the attacks.
The names of all 343 New York City firefighters killed and the two Mount Kisco residents, George Morell and Michael J. Berkeley, who died are inscribed on the pillars.
In his address, Harckham called upon the crowd to remember not only the first responders, the victims and the soldiers who were deployed after the attacks, but also the sense of community that rose up in its wake.
“Let’s also pause and reflect on the new spirit of America that rose out of those ashes, a spirit of unity that bound us all … that out of such carnage and terror and senseless can come hope and a sense of community once again,” he said.
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