Westchester County will mark the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 with two public events at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla. The county is also releasing a new documentary featuring every county executive who has served since the 2001 attacks.
The commemorations add a county-wide dimension to local ceremonies. As we reported Sept. 8, Rye will hold its own ceremony at the Rye Firehouse, 15 Locust Ave., at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11.
An Interfaith Prayer Vigil begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at The Rising, the county's 9/11 First Responders Memorial at Kensico Dam Plaza.
Faith leaders from Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Muslim communities will lead prayers, followed by candle lighting and a wreath-laying ceremony at the steel beam from the Twin Towers.
A memorial service follows at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, with remarks, music and a reading of the names of all those memorialized. The service will honor the 103 Westchester residents who died on Sept. 11, 2001, according to the county, as well as those who have since died from 9/11-related illnesses.
Both events are open to the public.
Both will be streamed live on Facebook and on the Westchester County website.
The short documentary, filmed and edited by county lead videographer John Borst, features County Executive Ken Jenkins alongside former county executives Andy Spano, Rob Astorino and U.S. Rep. George Latimer.
Each reflects on memories of that day, the county's response and lessons from the past quarter-century. Former Deputy County Executive Susan Tolchin also appears.
"In County Government, we were huddled in the emergency bunker, planning how to care for the survivors, who sadly never came," Tolchin said in the documentary.
Latimer, who served as county executive before his election to Congress, said Westchester has always remembered the local, human side of losing 103 neighbors that day and many more to 9/11-related illnesses since.
Jenkins said the documentary helps ensure that generations who did not live through Sept. 11 understand its impact. The film is being released publicly for the first time as part of the 25th anniversary commemoration.
Family members of those who died on 9/11 or from a 9/11-related illness who wish to be involved can contact the county at [email protected].
RSVPs for both Kensico Dam Plaza events are encouraged at the same address. The plaza is at 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla.
Upcoming 9/11 remembrance events:
- Thursday, Sept. 10, 5 p.m. — Interfaith Prayer Vigil, The Rising at Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
- Friday, Sept. 11, 2 p.m. — September 11 Memorial Service, Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
- Friday, Sept. 11, 5:30 p.m. — Rye Firehouse Ceremony, 15 Locust Ave., Rye
