Sept. 11 ceremony offers time for reflection
HALFMOON, N.Y. »Town officials and members of the Halfmoon community took time Monday to reflect on the events of Sept. 11 and give a collective thank you to the community’s volunteer fire departments and first responders.
This Patriot Day Ceremony marked 16 years since terrorist attacks along the Eastern seaboard killed thousands of Americans. Monday was warm and bright, with a sky so high one could see for miles, much like that day 16 years ago.
As the events of that day move further into the past, ceremonies like this one become more important. They allow Americans to recall and reflect on what took place and to recognize that the spirit of America is one of overcoming adversity.
The early evening program in Abele Memorial Park offered the event’s speakers a chance for reflection. The service drew about 75 residents, 60 first responders in dress uniform, Boy Scouts from troops 4030 and 45 and Color Guards from American Legion Post 1450 and VFW Post 1498.
After recalling the singular events of that day, Halfmoon Supervisor Kevin Tollisen quoted remarks given on Sept. 11, 2001 by President George Bush to the nation.
“This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace,” Tollisen said quoting Bush. “None of us will ever forget this day as we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.”
State Sen. Kathy Marchione, R-Halfmoon, noted the yearly observance of 9/11 by the town and her own busy schedule on the day, one where she always seems to be running between communities remembering and reflecting.
Her remarks focused on remembrance. She recalled the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the attacks, the courage of the first responders who gave theirs to save others, the airline passengers who doomed their own plane to save more, and how the world changed that day.
“On this day we reflect on the incredible freedoms we have,” she said. “We also reflect on the fact that American is stronger than any enemy, and that we remain a proud city on a hill, a beacon of hope and freedom in a dangerous and uncertain world.”
Saratoga County Sheriff Mike Zurlo was reflective in his remarks. He made note of all the good he has seen in recent days as neighbor helps neighbor through hurricanes Harvey and Irma. This, he said, is proof of America’s resilience in the face of adversity.
“Let us remember those who were lost on 9/11 by prevailing in the face of adversity from those who would do us harm,” he said. “In the face of adversity, by working together, we will prevail.”
Civil Air Patrol, Standards and Evaluations Officer Lt. Col Brian Benedict echoed Zurlo when he said, “Reflecting is vital to democracy.”
Clifton Park-Halfmoon Volunteer Fire Department Chief Art Hunsinger was the final and most emotionally direct speaker to give his reflections of the day. He described how firefighters continue to be impacted by health problems resulting from their work at the World Trade Center after they collapsed.
“We don’t forget and we won’t forget because we’re still losing first responders on a monthly basis to what’s called 9/11 disease,” he said. “Every time this time of the year comes around it’s as if, yesterday, it happened. We’re never going to forget because we lost friends. My hopes and prayers as I grow older are that people after us will remember, that they will learn from us.”