WHITE PLAINS, NY — In a solemn ceremony Friday night, Westchester County paid tribute to those who died in the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, including 111 Westchester residents and 12 former residents.County Executive Robert P. Astorino presided over the 14th anniversary ceremony that took place at The Rising, the county’s 9/11 memorial at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla.
“Elie Wiesel, the writer, Nobel Laureate, and Holocaust survivor, said: ‘The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. The opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference,’” Astorino said. “Our presence here today is a statement that we are not indifferent.”
An estimated 500 family members and residents attended the ceremony.
14th Anniversary Remembrance
9/11 Memorial Ceremony
Friday, September 11, 2015 – 7 p.m.
Kensico Dam Plaza, 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
Pledge of Allegiance
Hon. Nita Lowey, NYS Congresswoman
Laying of the Wreath
Lt. Anthony L. Willsea Cadet Squadron:
South Eastern Group Honor Guard and Phantom Regimental Drill Team
9/11 Family Member, Ester DiNardo
National Anthem
The Ursuline School Choir led by Jean Boehler
Accompanist: Dr. Laurie AdamoRicigliano
Remarks
Hon. Michael Kaplowitz, Chairman, County Board of Legislators
Hon. Robert P. Astorino, Westchester County Executive
Reading of the Names
9/11 Family Members and Elected Officials
Ava Maria
James McCarthy
Pleasantville High School
Benediction
Reverend Erwin Lee Trollinger
Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church and
President, Ministers’ Fellowship Conference of White Plains and vicinity
Al ShloshaD’varim
The Ursuline School Choir led by Jean Boehler
Viewing of The Rising and Circle of Remembrance
Star Spangled Banner
Arranged by: Russell Robinxon
Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Ava Maria
Arrangedby: Franz Schubert
Al ShloshaD’varim
Arranged by: Allan Naplan