Remembering the 9-11 Day of Infamy

Remembering the 9-11 "Day of Infamy" in the September 16 issue of the Westchester Guardian   by Peggy Godfrey

     The flag hung conspicuously on the New Rochelle Armory Building on September ll and several rows of Firemen and officials stood closely by.  Units from the Police Department and Armed Forces were also present.  The President of the United Veterans of New Rochelle, Peter Parente, set the tone of the evening by saying this was  "very much a moving event," and it was organized to "never forget" the tragic events of 2001 to the Twin Towers, in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.  Thanking various people who cooperated to make this remembrance possible, Parente continued by recalling how this Armory was "used as a staging area for ground zero citing that supplies were stored here.  He recounted this Armory’s use for the Marine reserves in the late 80’s and 90’s, including his unit’s activation to Desert Storm.  With a touch of sadness, Parente mentioned Michael Curtin. a true hero, who answered the called of duty on 9-11 only to have it become his last day on earth.  Police and Firemen put their "lives on the line every day," Parente reminded the crowd of several hundred that had gathered. The next speaker, New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, felt honored to be at this ceremony honoring the dead.  He felt "Americans can not be intimidated and added, "values that have made America a light of the world," should be upheld. 

     The keynote speaker, former  New York State Assemblyman Ronald Tocci, recalled in l941 there was another "day of infamy" which will never be forgotten.  "9-11 will be our day of infamy and never forgotten."  He said it was "surreal to watch the towers crumble.  No one could imagine that could happen in America."  While a "dark cloud" was present for weeks, Americans handled their wounds "with a sense of patriotism.  But as the cloud disappeared, patriotism waned."  The result was "We realized we were not as secure as we once were, a beacon for freedom.   We’ve paid dearly" with 3,000 dead.  He saluted the heroism displayed by many, especially on flight 93 which "probably saved our capital." 

     The USO Liberty Bells bank planed a musical interlude and several songs were sung.  Next Jim Killoran, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, called the evening "a blessed night."  He suggested if everyone "worked together, imagine what we can all do."  This prayer service is being held on holy ground. 

     The last speaker was Fire Lieutenant McLean who thanked the crowd that had come "to honor and remember" as well as those who put their lives on the line and "made the ultimate sacrifice nine years ago."  Candles were lit and a moment of silence followed.  Names of people from the area and Iona graduates who had died were read by John D’Alois who had been introduced as a true American.  A violin played soft music in the background as he read.  This was followed by people in the audience who had a message or comment to make.  The bagpiper band played and the audience sang Amazing Grace as the program ended.

     After the ceremony , Jerri Smith, the widow of firefighter Kevin Smith, said her sister had been telling her about this ceremony so she drove 70 miles to attend this service.  Proudly she claimed she had eight children, two of whom were serving, in the Marines and the Navy.  Her family is "all military" and patriotic.