Orange County Honors the Brave of 911 at the Arboretum
- ejreporter
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 minutes ago
While the mood at the County's "Never Forget 911 Ceremony" was serene and sombre, there were many moments of brightness recognizing the extreme courage of that day, the closeness of the American community afterward, the incredible hard work rebuilding New York City, and both the families of the fallen and their children who have gone on serving the American Spirit in important ways.
Pastor John Heidgerd of St. John's Lutheran Church in Middletown gave the Invocation, touching on the saving grace that while "Evil took that day but that day also inspired many to do good."
The other inspiring quote of the day was a reminder of what citizens did when the terrorists were attempting to destroy the Pentagon, and "Ordinary people were called to extraordinary courage."
Two aisles of the seating area were left empty in anticipation of the families and friends of the fallen, who were escorted in previous to the reading of the names of those who died on 911. Their entrance brought tears to some eyes, knowing how their hearts must still hurt.
Families of the Fallen of Orange County
The Speaker for the day was Colonel Glenn Marchi, who is now Chief Information Officer for Orange County. Marchi is also a Colonel, Commander of 12th Command Support Detachment, New York Guard. New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs and Chairperson, Bequest Committee. He served several tours overseas. In addition to a an impassioned speech about our war heroes, he told of his son, who his wife held in her arms when he went off to search for survivors at Ground Zero, and who is now taking his tests to serve as a Green Beret. He made the point numerous times, as did County Executive Neuhaus, that we who are here today were handed a torch that we must carry with pride.
County Executive, Steve Neuhaus spoke more locally, about the pain he knows of lives lost and families who still carry the grief. As a leader, he said it is his responsibility to remind people of the continuing aftermath of the 911 devastation. It includes not only those lost on 911, but the many cancer victims of toxic exposure who died afterward, and many who still fight resultant disease. Recently, CE Neuhaus said he met a doctor who had been tending injured at the Twin Towers site. The man did not yet know that his sister had died that day. Ever since, he told the CE, he has traveled the world and told the story, both of horror and the courage of those who gave so much to help others and raise pride of the image of America. Neuhaus invited those attending to visit the Arboretum's Granite Sculpture of the World, inscribed with "A place to honor, reflect and heal" He said that every year he asks his children whether 911 was talked about in their classes on Patriots Day, and that every day they say "Yes", and they tell him where and what was said. Today, shared in his "Neucast" weekly update with area residents that it was actually the events of 911 that inspired him to join the Navy.
County Executive, Steve Neuhaus shares a perspective on Patriots Day
The Orange County Arboretum is indeed a place of healing. The space is filled with such stunningly beautiful gardens, it takes one's breath away... and at the same time inspiress visitors like a dozen breaths of fresh air. If you visit, remind yourself of the incredible hours of work that created all that magnificence.
Retired Sergeant Major, MaryKay Messenger, Vocalist US Military Academy Band at West point led the attendees, who enthusiastically joined in singing "The National Anthem", and later in the program "God Bless America"
Remembering what was lost on 911, including
2,997 Killed
6,000 Injured
$2 Billion in Damage
Lives of millions of families shattered
Yet what remains
Courage
Strength
Inspiration
Kindness to community and family
Millions of good deeds