Two towering, twisted and charred metal beams from the World Trade Center shadowed the local ceremony honoring the victims of 9/11 and the perseverance of a nation.
The Waters Edge Lighthouse in Glenville hosted its fifth annual 9/11 ceremony on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 after overcoming flooding from recent tropical storms. The monument, displaying remnants salvaged from ground zero, was obtained by Pat and Karen Popolizio, owners of the Lighthouse, and Pat Popolizio along with John Wells, president of Wells Nursery, designed and constructed it. Local representatives shared their reflections on how the nation has moved past the tragedy and how the American spirit wasn’t quelled.
Wounds of lost family members and friends might still be healing, said U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, but the acts of bravery from first responders and citizens also shine out.
“Ten years has done nothing, nothing, to dim the memories of loved ones lost and has done nothing to take away the raw pain we all felt that day,” said Tonko. “We recall the acts of bravery as the everydayacts of heroism were showcased — here the world saw the brave men and women of the response community from firefighters to police officers to emergency responders. We witnessed people risking their own lives and giving their own lives so that others could be saved.”
On 9/11, Tonko said, people were reminded of what is valuable in life. Also, it served as an inspiration, he said, as people joined together “under the banner of the American flag” to help one another and rebuild from the destruction.
“Yes, we recall that day. We remember the pain. We remember the anguish. We remember the tragedy, but yes we remember the comeback story,” said Tonko. “This morning we reflect upon the causes that we embraced as an American people in response to that tragedy.”
Glenville Supervisor Christopher Koetzle also said time can help ease grief, but the day of remembrance can’t simply be a history lesson learned in school.
“Although time puts distance between us and our grief, we must never forget the lives we lost nor the acts of heroism that showed the world our compassion and resolve,” said Koetzle, R-Glenville. “9/11 must always be more than just a history lesson. This event must be sewn into the very fabric of our national culture not just by remembering, but by living up to our American values every single day in service to our country, service to our community and in the love we show our families.”
Schenectady County Legislator and Scotia Trustee, Cathy Gatta, said it was hard to believe the tragedy happened 10 years ago. Gatta, D-Scotia, also said citizens can’t forget the unity felt after the attack.
“We grew together and we grew stronger in the aftermath of those difficult times. We must continue in this spirit of solidarity so that these lives and this tragedy have not been in vain,” Gatta said.
New York State Assemblyman George Amedore, R-Rotterdam, said the focus shouldn’t be on death, but how life continues and the county preserved.
“May we remember one thing, not of death, but how you can carry on life,” said Amedore.
Throughout the ceremony voices of children peppered the background, which Amedore said he was pleased to hear.
“I love to hear the little children in the background, because if we can teach that at such an early age in life that they have the duty, they have and should have the commitment and the responsibility that our way of life in America comes from sacrifice, endurance, perseverance, but also our trust in almighty God,” Amedore said.
New York State Assemblyman James Tedisco, R-Glenville, said America remained the “greatest nation” even after the terrorist attacks.
“The United States of American was the greatest nation in the world before 9/11. The United States of America is the greatest nation in the world 10 years after that dastardly attack and the United States of America will always be the greatest nation in the world,” said Tedisco to a rousing applause from attendees.
Earlier, Koetzle shared a personal anecdote about how his grandmother died shortly after 9/11 and was worried about the country following the attacks.
“At times like these I think of my grandmother, who died just three months after the attacks. I recall that she died worried about a country that she loved so much and she left this world not knowing how this chapter would unfold,” said Koetzle.
Koetzle said he also thinks of his children when recalling the tragedy. His youngest daughter, he said, was born two months before the fateful day, so she doesn’t know exactly how “the story” started. He said we all know how it ends.
“We all know as Americans how this chapter will end; the same way they all do in the great American story — with victory.” said Koetzle. “We are a people that will not be defeated, not by fear, not by terror and not by tyrants.”
Closing the ceremony was Steven Cafiero reading a poem he wrote about 9/11. His son, Steven Cafiero Jr., died inside the World Trade Center.
“This is not an easy thing for me to do, but I am going to do the best I can,” said Cafiero. “Please bear with me and if I cry I have every right to.”
Cafiero’s poem ended with the emotional line, “Sept. 11, 2001, is also the day I lost my own son.”
