CT Officials, Families Gather For Annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony

WESTPORT, CT — When Elizabeth Bullis Wiese spoke to her sister the evening of Sept. 10, 2001, she couldn't have imagined the horrors the following morning would bring.

Dianne Bullis Snyder worked as a flight attendant for American Airlines and was on Flight 11, the domestic passenger flight that crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center the morning of 9/11.

As she heard reports of what had happened in New York City that morning, Wiese said she felt an entire range of feelings.

"I just had this intense knowing feeling that she was on that plane," Wiese said, "and I was stunned, and it was real but not real."

As she heard more live reports, she began to feel the true horror and magnitude of what had happened.

"It was not only my sister," Wiese said, "so many people were being affected. There were thousands of other people wondering and thinking about their loved ones. It was bigger than me."

See also: Remembering 9/11 Victims From Connecticut 20 Years Later

Wiese shared her sister's story during the state's annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony, honoring and celebrating the lives of those who died that day. This year, on the 20th anniversary of the attacks, the ceremony was held Thursday evening at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport.

Gov. Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and others state officials gathered with residents and family members of those who were killed in the attacks to share remarks and remembrance.

"We gather with heavy hearts to mourn the 161 victims with ties to our beautiful state who were killed on September 11th," Bysiewicz said. "This year marks the 20th anniversary of that terrible day when we lost so much. We're reminded of how vulnerable each of us are, and how precious our time with each other truly is."

Bysiewicz said she will never forget that beautiful, clear, bright, sunny day 20 years ago.

"On that day, we saw courageous acts that reminded us of America's resiliency when we came together as one," Bysiewicz said. "Our first responders heroically put themselves in harm's way to save others. Their training took over and they ran toward danger, toward collapsing buildings, toward fire."

Bysiewicz noted she was serving as secretary of the state of Connecticut on Sept. 11, 2001, and a primary election was scheduled to take place that day.

Almost immediately, she began receiving calls from election officials asking whether the election should be postponed. Ultimately, they decided not to, Bysiewicz said.

"For a while there was a lull in the voting," Bysiewicz said, "and then, in spite of everything, a surge of people streamed to the polls because it was something patriotic that they could do in that terrible moment to show their patriotic duty and the strength of our country under attack."

Lamont told those gathered he tends to think a lot about the day after 9/11.

"I remember the silence...it was so quiet," Lamont said, "and I remember the world, very briefly, just seemed as one. Just the little acts of kindness. We looked out for each other."

He also emphasized the unity felt across the country as it came together to support each other and help those affected by the day's horrific events.

"That's something else I like to remember," Lamont said, "those brief moments that bring us all together as one, and we remember our common humanity while we look out for each other, while we remember days like this."

Other family members who shared stories of their loved ones included Margaret Eckert, sister-in-law of Sean Rooney, and Kathryn Hebert, sister of Adam J. Lewis.

Eckert, a Massachusetts resident, said her brother-in-law lived in Stamford with her sister, Beverly, where they purchased a home in 1987.

Rooney worked for the Aon insurance company in the south tower of the World Trade Center in 2001, and he was on the phone with Beverly when that tower collapsed on 9/11.

"With the phone still in her hand, my sister watched on TV as that tower fell," Eckert said. "They had been together since they were 16 years old, and they both turned 50 in 2001."

Eckert said many families affected by that day's events revisit the pain of it on each anniversary. It also brings into question the way we treat our troops, first responders and each other as people, Eckert said.

"Kindness is a muscle that needs more exercise for sure," Eckert said. "September 11 has been designated as a day of remembrance and service. I don't care if it's hokey, we can all pull together to do some act of kindness to honor the dead, the survivors, the families, the responders, the troops, our neighbors, and not ask who they voted for because it doesn't matter."

Hebert said her brother was working on the 89th floor of the second tower on 9/11. In light of the 20th anniversary of that day, she said it saddens her there is still "so much violence, hatred and negativity" across the country and the world.

"This annual remembrance is not only about never forgetting an awful, despicable, violent attack on our country [and] our way of life, our being," Hebert said. "Now, more than ever, this reminder is about humanity, and we are all responsible for humanity, collectively and individually. We must celebrate our differences, love and care for each other and work together."

As the ceremony concluded, the names of 161 victims with ties to Connecticut were read aloud to the reverent crowd. Lamont and Bysiewicz then led the group outside, through light rainfall, to view the park's 9/11 memorial, where the Manhattan skyline can often be seen on a clear day across the Long Island Sound.

As many placed flowers on the monument, they took note of its inscription: The citizens of Connecticut dedicate this living memorial to the thousands of innocent lives lost on September 11, 2001, and to the families who loved them.

"To all of those who have loved and lost someone on that terrible day, our hearts, our thoughts, our prayers are with you," Bysiewicz said. "I can assure you that the state of Connecticut, Governor Lamont and I will never forget your loved ones for the sacrifices that you have made and the tragedies that you have endured. It's an honor for the governor and I to represent you. God bless you."