A day of rememberance

Like so many others around the country, residents and officials in Westchester County took time on Sept. 11 to remember the events, and most importantly, the people lost on that fateful day eighteen years ago.

County executives, religious leaders, the public and friends and family of the deceased gathered at the Kensico Dam in Valhalla near the 9/11 memorial statue called “The Rising.” Joining them were a select group of students from Alexander Hamilton High School.

They had the honor of being part of the procession, which also included the Westchester County Police Department Ceremonial Unit Color Guard, and the Pipes and Drums of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester County. The students led those gathered in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Senior Chris Yeosock sang the national anthem.

“It’s a nice experience that we could come down here and represent our school and be a part of the ceremony,” Chris said following the event. “We not only recognized their death, but celebrated their life,” he said of those who perished.

The ceremony included a laying of a wreath, remarks from local dignitaries, and prayers. The names of the Westchester County residents who died on Sept. 11, 2001 were read, along with names of 21 individuals who have died from 9/11-related illnesses. A memorial for these individuals is being planned.

“They were humans, like us,” County Executive George Latimer said during the ceremony. “That is what we are all doing today,