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Remembrance A Theme At Mount Kisco 9/11 Ceremony

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. -- Remembrance was a major aspect of Mount Kisco’s 9/11 memorial ceremony, which was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11.

Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014.

Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
A wreath was placed at Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial.

A wreath was placed at Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014.

Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014.

Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014.

Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014.

Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014.

Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014.

Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014.

Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial ceremony was held on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, 2014.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Flowers were placed at the fountain base of Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial.

Flowers were placed at the fountain base of Mount Kisco's 9/11 memorial.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie

Thirteen years after 9/11, memories were shared  by speakers, whether pertaining directly to the date itself or to related events.

A member of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration read a letter from the governor, a New Castle resident, who recalled the first responders who were involved.

“Heroes all, they stood for what is best about America,” Cuomo’s letter stated.

Mount Kisco Mayor Michael Cindrich recalled the date.

“It was disbelief, it was despair, it was anguish,” he said. Cindrich also noted other terrorist attacks, including the first World Trade Center attack in 1993 and the bombing attack at the Boston Marathon.

Westchester County Legislator Peter Harckham, whose district includes Mount Kisco, spoke fondly of the local 9/11 memorial and thanked first responders, along with the American Legion and Scouts. All three groups participated in Mount Kisco’s ceremony.

The memorial service included a changing of flags. Paul Felice, who was among those who helped make the memorial a reality, recalled that there were 50 flags brought in August 2011 to all three sites of the attacks. Those flags, according to Felice, are embroidered and numbered,  and there are 46 left that will fly at the memorial.

Other highlights of the service included a presentation of a wreath by firefighters, a bell ringing, a firing of round by an American Legion contingent and prayers.

Richard Alexander, a former New York City firefighter who is a Mount Kisco volunteer firefighter, mentioned the attendance of neighbors at the event, including those from Bedford, Bedford Hills, Katonah and Chappaqua. Fire trucks from neighboring departments were on hand as well.

Alexander also brought attention to the illnesses of first responders to the World Trade Center, including a friend and fellow firefighter who died as a result of an ailment. He described his friend as being “all about love.”

Also on hand was Lourdes Berkeley, whose husband, Michael, was among the 9/11 victims and is listed on the Mount Kisco memorial. Speaking after the ceremony, she talked about the effort of having a service each year, calling it “wonderful” and “heartwarming.”

The ceremony concluded with a laying of flowers at the fountain base of the memorial. After the service, the public was invited to a firehouse for food and music by Mark Rivera, who is Billy Joel’s saxophone player.

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