Rocklanders remember those killed 22 years ago in Sept. 11 terrorist attacks
HAVERSTRAW — An estimated 300 people sat or stood in a drizzle as Rockland County on Monday morning began to remember the thousands killed on Sept. 11, 2001.
Within minutes of the Sheriff's Office Honor Guard marching into position amid the beat of bagpipes and drums by the Rockland Police Emerald Society, the light rain slowed. And the sun began warming the grounds and the granite 9-11 memorials in Haverstraw Bay County Park.
The ceremony brought back memories of that day for family members and supporters.
"This is a remembrance of the worst day in our country's history," said Mark Klein, attending with his wife Elaine. "We remember those who passed."
US remembers: Americans honor those lost in 9/11 terrorist attacks
Tom Letizia, an owner of Letizia Brothers auto repair in Bardonia, echoed the sentiments — tinged in pain and sadness — of those who attended the annual remembrance.
"What happened is something I will never forget," Letizia said, wearing a jacket covered with patriotic symbols. "Everybody was at my shop when it was shown on the TV. I am in disbelief still that something like that could happen."
The 9/11 attacks left 2,977 dead across New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, according to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. The total includes the 2,753 who died after hijacked planes struck the Twin Towers, 184 people who died at the Pentagon and 40 who died when Flight 93 crash-landed in Pennsylvania.
The United States hunted down and killed several leaders of al Qaeda, including Osama bin Laden. Many plotters, most from Saudi Arabia, were arrested.
Sept. 11 has become known as "Patriot Day" and the "National Day of Service and Remembrance."
In Memoriam: Remembering the blue of the 9/11 sky through art, lights, Instagram
The Rockland commemoration featured family members of those killed speaking. Family members read off the names of the 81 Rockland residents killed. The names included Robert Kirkpatrick of Suffern, one of six people killed in the first terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on Feb. 26, 1993.
Speakers offered words of sorrow but also noted how Americans came together after the attacks. Cantor Sally Neff sang the National Anthem and Tree of Life. Gary Graifman, an attorney whose brother David died in the attacks, sang God Bless America.
Sept. 11 started out as a "beautiful day weather-wise, but became the darkest day in our country's history," the Rev. David Lothrop said. He told the families, "We will always remember your loved ones."
Rockland County Executive Ed Day recalled those who died, including first responders. Over more than two decades, many police, firefighters, and other first responders who breathed in toxins from the fallen skyscrapers have died from cancers.
"Let us honor those who lost their lives," Day said, laying roses on the memorials in the park.
Rockland Legislature Chairman Jay Hood, D-Haverstraw, spoke about the importance of keeping alive Sept. 11 events so future generations will know what happened. He said he had explained the events of that day to his sons, who were not born in 2001.
After a moment of silence to open the ceremony, a bell tolled at 8:46 a.m. to mark the first plane to crash into the World Trade Center. A second tolled at 9:06 a.m., marking the second plane crashing into the towers. At 9:59 a.m., the South Tower collapsed, followed by the North Tower at 10:28 a.m.
Many people looked for the names of loved ones on the memorial wall.
Eli Burrows, 10, of New Jersey, pointed to the chiseled name of his uncle, Eric Lehrfeld.
Eli, named after his uncle, stood at the podium with a relative reading off the names of people killed, including his uncle, who graduated from Clarkstown North High School. Lehrfeld, then 32, was speaking at a conference during the terrorist attacks.
Elyse Burrows, Eli's mother and Eric's sister, said her family never forgets.
"It still feels like it happened yesterday," she said of the attacks. "I am happy people still come together and continue the tradition of remembering."
Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com. Twitter: @lohudlegal.
Read more articles and bio. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rockland County NY holds Sept. 11 commemoration at memorial
