Politics & Government

Orangetown Ceremonies Mark 9/11 Anniversary

The ceremony at the Orangetown Town Hall 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 11 is just one of the local events scheduled to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. St. Aedan's Church, St. Margaret Church and the Orangetown Mighty Midgets are among tho

The Town of Orangetown and the Orangetown PBA will mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a ceremony 11:30 a.m. Sunday at the memorial in front of the town hall.

Many of the same speakers from the dedication in June 9, 2002 will return to speak Sunday.

Orangetown Police Sgt. James Sullivan said the idea was to keep the ceremony relatively short, approximately 35-to-40 minutes, and to look back on the 10 years. Former NYPD Chief Louis Anemone will be the keynote speaker.

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"He spoke when we dedicated the memorial in 2002 and did a wonderful job," Sullivan said. "I've run this for 10 years, though this one will be more intense. I try to keep it short, sweet and to the point, to keep it meaningful."

Former Orangetown Supervisor Thom Kleiner will also speak Sunday.

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The memorial itself is also being renovated. Retired Orangetown Police Sgt. Mike Jamison created the stone that stands at the center of the memorial now and he has created a second stone that is being added. The second stone will bear the names of four people being added to the memorial, all of whom have had their deaths linked to their work at the site.

  • Detective Robert Williamson of Nanuet (died in 2007)
  • Police Officer Patrice Ott of Pearl River (2006)
  • Police Officer Christopher McMurry of Orangeburg (2008)
  • Pearl River Fire Chief William Harris (2008)

The plaque with the new names will have room if more need to be added.

"Unfortunately, people are still dying from this," Sullivan said. "Mike Jamison did the original stone for us. We called him in because he was the best to do it. He has this Japanese garden idea, which would include three stones.

"I'm very proud of that stone."

Sullivan said that the stone was ready, but the plaque was delayed due to Hurricane Irene. He said he was hopeful that all would be ready for Sunday.

"(The memorial) is here for people. It's here to help them," Sullivan said.

Sullivan said there will be refreshments and the opportunity for people to stay and talk the ceremony, something Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Pastor John Havrilla suggested in 2002.

"We have been doing that for 10 years," Sullivan said.

St. Aedan's 9/11 Remembrance

St. Aedan's Church in Pearl River will remember the victims of 9/11 and their families Saturday, Sept. 10 during Mass at 9 a.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The church will also put on its annual display honoring the nine parishioners who were killed in the World Trade Center on 9/11, though this is expected to be the last year of the display. William Harris will also be remembered.

Those honored in the display are:

  • John D'allara, 47, NYPD, Emergency Service, ESS 2
  • thomas Foley, 32, NYFD, Rescue 3, Firefighter
  • Frederick Ill, Jr., 49, NYFD, Ladder 2, Captain
  • Laura M. Pettus Longing, 35, 96th Floor, World Trade Center, North Tower 1, Marsh U.S.A.
  • Joseph Marchbanks, Jr., 47, NYFD, Battalion 12, Battalion Commander
  • Robert W. McPadden, 30, NYFD, Engine 23, Firefighter
  • Kevin O. Reilly, 28, NYFD, Engine 207, Firefighter
  • Michael Roberts, 30, NYFD, Ladder 35, Firefighter
  • James J. Woods, 26, Cantor Fitzgerald

Orangetown Mighty Mites Ceremony

The Orangetown Mighty Mites will hold ceremonies at the soccer complex in Orangeburg and Veterans Park at 8:30 a.m. Sunday.

The Blue Mass at St. Margaret

St. Margaret Church in Pearl River will mark the 10th anniversary and dedicate its new 9/11 memorial Saturday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. The event is called the "Blue Mass" in reference to the color of the uniforms of police officers and firefighters as well as the priest's vestments. The church asks that all civil servants and members of the military who attend wear dress uniforms.

The Blue Mass is being held that weekend to accommodate the families of those who were lost on 9/11 who will be attending events in the city this weekend.


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