SI Advance – September 08, 2015
by Kristin F. Dalton
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — It’s been 14 years since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, a day that forever changed us individually and as a nation — and yet, it feels like yesterday.
Year after year, memorials, vigils and tributes are held to commemorate the lives lost and the efforts put forth from first responders.
9/11 MEMORIAL PLAZA CEREMONY
The anniversary ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza at the World Trade Center will begin at 8:39 a.m., and will include six moments of silence marking when the World Trade Center towers were struck and fell, when the Pentagon was attacked and when Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania.
It will also include a reading of the names of the victims of both the 1993 and 2001 attacks. Houses of worship have been asked to toll their bells as part of the ceremony. An honor guard made up of members representing the FDNY, NYPD and Port Authority Police will also participate.
Family members of victims of both the 1993 and 2001 World Trade Center attacks are invited to privately tour the National September 11 Memorial Museum from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
‘TRIBUTE IN LIGHT’
At 6 p.m., the “Tribute in Light” will begin with two beams of illuminated, blue light, symbolizing the Twin Towers. The lights will shine into the sky until the next morning.
Beginning at 3 p.m. until midnight, the 9/11 Memorial, located at 200 Liberty St., 16th floor, will be open to the public for a special viewing of “Tribute in Light.” The Memorial provides a meaningful vantage point of the annual tribute.
BELL OF HOPE
The Parish of Trinity Wall Street in Lower Manhattan will observe the anniversary of the attacks with the ringing of the Bell of Hope — which was given to New York City by London in 2002 and has been rung each year since the first anniversary — and a 10 a.m. Mass for Peace at St. Paul’s Chapel, located on Broadway and Fulton Street.
On Saturday, Sept. 12 at St. Paul’s, the Trinity Movement Choir will perform “Reconciliation,” an experience dance piece observing the loss and heroism of 9/11.
Both events at St. Paul’s Chapel are free and open to the public.
STATEN ISLAND EVENTS
Staten Island commemorative events include:
Borough President James Oddo will host the annual memorial ceremony at the Postcards Memorial, located on the St. George Esplande, adjacent to the St. George Ferry Terminal. The memorial will pay tribute to all loved ones lost in the attacks. Recently, Oddo asked Staten Island family members who lost someone close to them to submit photos and descriptions of family events to include in a video montage that will be shown during the ceremony. The ceremony will begin Friday, Sept. 11, at 6:30 p.m.
Members of the Mount Loretto Friendship Club will bring trays of hot, home-cooked meals, trays of donated food from local stores and plants to decorate the memorial at Firehouse Engine 151 & Ladder 76, located at 7219 Amboy Rd. in Tottenville. The FDNY Retirees, Staten Island Division, is sponsoring its 14th annual candlelight vigil at the Alice Austen House, located a 2 Hylan Blvd. in Rosebank, from 4:30 to 9 p.m. The candlelight vigil will be accompanied by bagpipers, a 21-gun salute from the Marine Corp. League, various musical performances and other support. Refreshments are complimentary; bring your own lawn chair. A ceremony of music, poetry, reflection and candle lighting will take place at noon at the Joan and Alan Bernikow JCC, located at 1466 Manor Rd., in the Lewis Stolzenberg Social Hall.
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