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SOMERS, N.Y. - Hundreds of people turned out on Sunday for the 9/11 Remembrance ceremony at Bailey Park. The multi-uniformed Honor Guard, made up of police units, firefighters, war veterans, and scouts, marched in and took their places to the accompaniment of bag pipes.
Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy briefly greeted everyone and asked people to pay particular attention to the Flags of Honor on display. The Flag of Honor is a memorial version of the usual standard, listing the name of every 9/11 victim in lieu of the regular blue stripes.
Father Sandy Key, Chaplain of the Somers Volunteer Fire Department, presented the opening prayer. When the 9/11 tragedy occurred, he said, we hardly knew what to pray for. He asked God to continue to help us find a way forward.
The children of Joseph Spor, a New York City firefighter lost at Ground Zero, read a poem in commemoration. The audience was asked to respond intermittently with the phrase, We remember them.
Police Chief Michael Driscoll commented on how the world has become so much more sophisticated, yet more muddled. He asked the audience to remember the people who were lost out there. The feeling we had in our hearts. He commended men and women in uniform. You are dedicating yourselves to a larger cause for the benefit of your community. They still make Americans like they used to. Just look at the people who volunteered at 9/11. God Bless America.
Ex-Chief Robert Weinstein talked of the experiences and bravery of our local firemen and emergency volunteers who participated in the events immediately following the attack.
After Town Historian Doris Jane Smith read a 9/11 poem, wreaths were placed on the Unity Garden benches dedicated to the three Somers victims: George Bishop, Richard Klares and Joseph Spor, Jr.
Members of the audience were invited to participate by placing single flowers on the benches as well.
Monsignor Moore of St. Josephs Catholic Church led a Candlelight Ceremony.
Then there was a moment of silence.
Elysa Boniello sang God Bless America and Rabbi Fred Schwalb read the benediction. The ceremony concluded with the sad hum of bag pipes and more than a few teary eyes.
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