Tri-Community 9/11 Memorial Ceremony Set

CORTLANDT, NY — For the 20th anniversary of 9/11, officials and residents of the town of Cortlandt and the villages of Buchanan and Croton-on-Hudson will hold a ceremony at their shared memorial on the Hudson River.

"As we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, we remember those that lost family and friends, the brave first and second responders who rushed to render aid—many of whom lost their lives due to illness from exposure at Ground Zero—and our dedicated veterans of the War on Terrorism," said Croton-on Hudson Mayor Brian Pugh in an announcement about the ceremony.

Participants will gather in the Croton Landing Park parking area at the north end of Elliott Way at
12:30 p.m. Sept. 11. Led by a color guard from the community, they will walk in procession along the quarter-of- a-mile pathway north to the site.

A shuttle van will be available in the parking area to transport those who need assistance.

"Every 9/11 we hold a very beautiful and solemn ceremony to honor those we lost tragically that day in our country and in our community at our Memorial, 'Reaching Through the Shadow',"
said Supervisor Linda Puglisi. "However, every day we will never forget them and we will always thank the first responders."

Reaching Through the Shadow was planned by an all-volunteer task force and dedicated in 2014.

"It is important on this 20th Anniversary of Sept 11th that we continue to remember and honor all those innocent lives that were lost that day," Buchanan Mayor Theresa Knickerbocker said. "We are grateful to our first responders who gave all that day to save others. We appreciate all our first responders — Police, Fire, EMS — and our service men and women who protect us each and every day. Thank you for your service."

If it rains, the ceremony will be held indoors at the Harmon Firehouse, located at 30 Wayne St. in Croton, on Sept. 11.

"On that day and the years since, everyday Americans showed us the true meaning of courage," Pugh said. "The camaraderie and deep care that first responders showed as they put their lives at risk for complete strangers is part of the American spirit that we cherish and that will always live on in this great nation."