The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Somber memorial
SHERRILL, N.Y. » Dozens gathered at Reilly-Mumford Park in Sherrill onMonday to remember those lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, but also to raise up those who help others.
“Today is a chance for us to think about all of the people and heroes that sacrificed their lives and all the heroes dealing with all the natural disasters that we’re having.” Verona Councilman Kenneth Brewer said. “And that how our country is always rising above it and dealing with all the tragedies that come about.”
As attendees gathered in their seats, the sounds of late summer crickets and a lone batter practicing his swing in a nearby batting cage carried through the air.
Legion member Kevin Wickham gave the invocation and kicked the event off in earnest.
“We’re here tonight because of the many fire departments and policemen that went into the towers and didn’t think anything of it to save lives,” Brewer said. “Lives that they didn’t know. But they felt that is their job and so we want to salute to the fire department and all the police depart-
ment. I think a round of applause should be for them.”
Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School District stu- dent Sarah Brown sang the national anthem.
Diana Garcia, a mother of four living in Sherrill since 2010 and manager with ICON Laboratory Service, sought to bring everyone together.
“Remembering Sept. 11 is critically important so that we hold sacred the moments our nation responded to four coordinated brutal terrorist attacks and responded without hesitation,” she said. “Setting fear and self preservations aside, an army of first responders and everyday citizens risked everything to help their fellow Americans.”
The vigil was capped off by Ed Lotter mosher’s playing of “Taps” and Dan Skinner’s playing of “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.