County Executive Robert P. Astorino today released program details about Westchester County’s Sept. 11 event, to be held on Tuesday, Sept. 11 beginning at 7 p.m. at The Rising, the county’s 9/11 memorial at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla.
· Welcome Remarks: Ned McCormack, Director of Communications/Senior Advisor
· Presentation of the Colors: Westchester County Department of Public Safety Ceremonial Unit, The Pipes and Drums of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester and Hawthorne Boy Scout Troop 1 of the Westchester Putnam Council
· Pledge of Allegiance: Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey
· Laying of the Wreath and Remarks: County Executive Robert P. Astorino, 9/11 Family member Rosaleen O’Neill and Boy Scout Troop 1 members Robert Garan, Christian Falco and Sean Healy
· Remarks: Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins
· God Bless America: Luciano Lamonarca, tenor
· Reading of the Names: 9/11 family members and elected officials
· Benediction: Bishop W. Darin Moore, Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church, Mount Vernon
· Amazing Grace: Luciano Lamonarca, tenor
· Viewing of The Rising and Circle of Remembrance
One hundred and eleven Westchester residents and 12 former residents lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.
The candlelight ceremony will be part of various remembrance activities throughout Westchester that have been organized around the theme of using volunteerism as a way to honor those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. A list of volunteer activities, including blood and food drives, can be found at www.westchestergov.com.
Astorino To Recognize Fujifilm Volunteerism And Encourage All Residents To Participate In Service As Part Of Sept. 11 Anniversary Week
For the 11th year in a row, employees of FUJIFILM Holdings America Corp. will roll up their sleeves in the spirit of volunteerism during its Adopt-a-Park employee volunteer day, Monday, Sept. 10, starting at noon, at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla. County Executive Robert P. Astorino will use the event to remind county residents of the many and varied volunteer opportunities for everyone on the anniversary week of the tragic events of Sept. 11.
“Fujifilm has long been recognized in Westchester as a leader in environmental responsibility and volunteerism,” Astorino said. “The company’s annual event coincides this year with a broader call for volunteerism to coincide with the 11th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 and the National Day of Service and Remembrance.”
Many of these events, coordinated by the county and The Volunteer Center of United Way, will be held at the same location – Kensico Dam Plaza – on Tuesday, Sept. 11. A full list can be found at westchestergov.com or volunteer-center.org. The county will also host its annual memorial ceremony at the memorial, “The Rising” on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.
Fujifilm was the first business to partner with Westchester County in the Adopt-a-Park stewardship program, with a team of employee volunteers planting an entrance garden at Kensico in 2002.
In addition to preparing and planting beds of chrysanthemums, Fujifilm, led by Kaz Yamamura, president of FUJIFILM Holdings America Corp., will present Astorino with a donation of tenth-mile marker plaques that will be installed along the park’s walkways.
“Westchester County gets tangible results from this year after year, thanks to our generous corporate sponsor,” said Astorino. “We have beautiful new chrysanthemums, as well as new stone markers around the plaza’s walkways that allow walkers to calculate the distance they walk for fitness.”
Astorino will also thank Friends of Westchester County Parks for its continuing role to enhance the county park system.
Astorino, Yamamura and the corporate team will be joined by County Parks Commissioner Kathleen O’Connor, Friends of Westchester County Parks chair Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson and executive director Joseph A. Stout.
Yamamura said: “This donation supports our company’s goal to improve the quality of life for people worldwide. Taking part in these activities gives all of us the opportunity to get to know each other, while serving the community in which we live and work.”
“These distance markers are a welcome addition to Kensico Dam Plaza,” O’Connor said. “Our visitors often ask about the distance around the plaza, and now several loops of varied distance and experience are completely mapped out.”
Bracken-Thompson, said: “With budgets as tight as they are in our current economic climate, we truly appreciate the contributions made by companies such as Fujifilm and their employees. These donations of time and money help improve our parks at no additional cost to the taxpayer.”
Friends of Westchester County Parks is the only organization dedicated exclusively to promoting and supporting Westchester County parks. Friends, which is governed by a board of trustees, secures and administers private funds that support the mission of the Westchester County Parks Department. Funds raised through membership fees and donations are used for the sole benefit of Westchester’s parks. All donations are tax deductible. For more information, go to friendsofwestchesterparks.com.
Kensico Dam Plaza is located at the north end of the Bronx River Parkway in Valhalla.
