HAVERSTRAW – September 11, 2001 has gone down in American history along with December 7, 1941, as a day that will live in infamy.
On this the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and the heroes of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, many municipalities have been holding memorials to remember those lost on that day.
Approximately 200 people were in attendance at Haverstraw Bay Park on a day when the weather was just as it was 20 years ago.
The angst and sadness this day brings was visible on the faces of all who were in attendance, especially those of the families who had lost someone that day. Some of the family members who spoke had trouble holding back the tears and some didn’t even try.
The national Anthem was sung by the North Rockland High School Choir and a moment of silence was observed.
Rockland County County Executive Ed Day addressed the crowd. “The support you are showing today is just the latest example of the community that has grown and crystalized to care for one another in response to terror, anger and fear. To all those things we felt that bright Tuesday morning 20 years ago.”
As the names of those who perished were read, a bell tolled for each person.
Robert Alonzo, who lost his wife Jenn who was on the 97th floor in the North Tower, shared his experience of that day. His first thoughts were for her safety. He did speak with her and assured her he would be there to get her. He has two children who were toddlers when they lost their mother; are now 22 and 21. His main concern over these years was taking care of them.
