Colonie seniors had a chance to honor the community’s first responders firsthand at the annual “Remembering Those Who Keep Us Safe” event on Wednesday, Sept. 5.
As the 11th anniversary of 9/11 approached, the event commemorated local and national police, fire and EMS departments, as well as members of the military. Held at the Belltrone Living Center and hosted by the Colonie Senior Service Centers, the short ceremony consisted of speeches by local officials as well as songs led by Kathy Lawler of the St. Pius X Church Choir in front of a large audience of senior residents and of the community.
Executive Director of CSSC Edward Neary said the event began on the first anniversary of 9/11.
“It was an opportunity for us to remember that horrific event as a senior community. Then we expanded it into an opportunity to thank the local first responders, those people who keep us safe in our community,” Neary said. “It keeps us connected as a community, which is the most important thing.”
The event brought together many representatives of the public safety community, including Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple and Colonie Chief of Police Steven Heider. Members of fire departments, EMS and a few police officers had to leave on call right before the ceremony began.
“On behalf of all the law enforcements and emergency medical services, we wanted to thank you for having us here today, for honoring us when in fact it is our honor to serve you,” Heider said. “We look at the support we get from the community – that’s what helps us get our mission across, get to the goals we want to accomplish.”
Heider went on to thank government officials, including Town Supervisor Paula Mahan and Village of Colonie Mayor Frank Leak, who were also in attendance.
The chief of police said this is the “one year that nobody is talking about war.”
“We have our men and women in Afghanistan or in the Middle East every single day. We should not forget about the great job that they do,” Heider said. “We wanted to thank you and recognize you for all that you’ve done for us.”
Mahan took the podium to announce that, once again, Colonie has been ranked one of the safest communities in the nation.
“That’s a tribute to everyone behind me as well as all of you in our community,” Mahan said. “As supervisor, I want to say I am very, very proud of the work that is done by our people here in town … that help us and support us.”
The keynote speaker, Lt. Colonel Steven M. Fukino of the New York National Guard, spoke of a recent visit to the World Trade Center site where workers were “enthusiastically rebuilding the center.” He said he met a construction worker that showed him a photo of his family with an empty chair.
“When I asked about the empty chair, he said it was in honor of his big brother who paid the ultimate sacrifice in Tower I on 11 September, 2011. You see, his brother was a first responder. He was a proud member of the fire department of New York City and one of the 343 FDNY members who lost their lives that tragic day,” Fukino said.
Fukino thanked all of the first responders from 9/11 and who serve today, including volunteers.
“We have the utmost gratitude and appreciation for all first responders for their bravery, sacrifice and dedication,” Fukino said. “We, like the first responders, are dedicated and hardworking men and women who accept personal risk to ensure everyone’s safety and protect the liberties and freedoms we cherish.”
