Despite the seven years that have passed since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, emotions ran high Thursday as residents gathered in Glenville to remember the tragedy that gripped the nation on that fateful day.
The warm fall evening was reminiscent of the weather seven years ago when planes crashed into the World Trade Centers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The ceremony also honored those who sacrificed their lives by overtaking the hijackers on Flight 92.
One of those commemorating the day was Steven Cafiero, of Glenville, who lost his son, Steven Cafiero Jr. in the attacks on the World Trade Centers.
Cafiero’s son was an insurance broker in the south tower.
Cafiero, a professional entertainer, read a poem titled 9/11, which he has been working on since the attacks.
`A low-flying plane was about to collide, with the World Trade Centers, so high in the sky,` read a passage of Cafiero’s poem.
`My therapy through these years has been writing this poem,` Cafiero said during the ceremony, where names of the victims were read followed by the chiming of a bell and a moment of silence.
He concluded the poem with, `This tragic day, the Eagle stopped flying, joined by the Statue of Liberty crying. Sept. 11, 2001, is also the day I lost my own son.`
He also sang a medley of American songs during the ceremony, at one point walking over to his son’s name on a plaque and reaching out to touch it. The plaque is a part of the memorial built at Water’s Edge Lighthouse Restaurant, situated on the Mohawk River, where the event took place.
Cafiero received a standing ovation for his performance and left very few with dry eyes.
The memorial is constructed from bent beams found at the site of the World Trade Center. There is also a flag framed between the two supports.
`We are all here tonight to recognize that terrible day seven years ago,` said businessman Jonathan Wells before mentioning what an honor it was to help build the memorial.
`I don’t forget every day how lucky our freedom is,` said businessman Pat Popolizio, who owns the restaurant. He said they would gather next year at the memorial to remember the day.
Firefighters, police officers and servicemen and women lined the edge of the patio, while several veterans sat in the audience as the flag flapped at half-staff.
Also in attendance at the event were Assemblymen James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, and George Amedore, R-Rotterdam, Schenectady Mayor Brain Stratton, Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna, and Republican county Legislator James Buhrmaster, who is running for Congress in the 21st Congressional District.
`We the people seven years ago stopped taking for granted the liberties we have every day,` Amedore said.“