Hoehm Town Happenings: Clarkstown Remembers: A Tribute to those lost on 9/11

September 11, 2001 was a day when the world changed forever. Twenty-two years later we can still recall the horror as the news unfolded before our eyes. The terrible scenes on television are forever seared into our memory. The fear and uncertainty, and the unimaginable loss and pain our country and community lived through are impossible to forget. For many who lived through September 11 th , 2001, we remember where we were and the days and months that followed with loss and memorials and in some instances the agonizing wait for remains to be recovered. But time passes and has a way of making memories fade. Distance from an event such as this, tends to make us feel disconnected. An entire generation was not yet born when 9/11 occurred. For them it is a historical event, like the two World Wars or Vietnam. There are many lessons we carry with us from that horrific day. We learned a great deal about sacrifice, loss, love, gratitude, and resiliency. 

Here in Clarkstown, twenty-two years later, these lessons will be at the forefront of my mind as we commemorate the anniversary of 9/11. I will remember all the first responders, including Firefighter Thomas Foley and the other 341 FDNY members who gave their lives that day. I will recall the heroic efforts of the NYPD and Chief Marchbanks. My thoughts will turn to the amazing bravery of Welles Remy Crowther, a civilian who died saving others. My heart will be full of gratitude for those who raced in and sacrificed their tomorrows so that tens of thousands could have today. You cannot place a price upon that loss, it is immeasurable: as is the good that has been achieved by those who survived due to the sacrifice of these heroes.

Tragically, our losses from this horrific event didn’t end that day, and twenty-two years later, they continue to mount with the passing of first responders from 9/11 related illness. I will recall the sacrifice of these volunteers and first responders, such as FDNY Firefighter Daniel Foley, who worked at Ground Zero and became ill,  ultimately dying as a result of that service. The heroism of these people teaches us the true meaning of love. And still, twenty-two years later, we continue to learn from the pain of the losses that our 9/11 families have endured. No passing of time will ever fully heal their wounds, but we remain in awe of their perseverance. The 9/11 families teach us to appreciate what we have today and to hold those we love tighter and closer in our hearts. We have learned to understand our lives and those we hold dear are gifts not to be taken for granted.

On this 22nd anniversary of September 11 th , the Town will once again pay tribute to the 26 residents with ties to our Town and the thousands of others who died on September 11 th . As our monument says, “we will never forget.” We will remember the goodness and humanity of the fallen sons and daughters of Clarkstown and commemorate their lives and also the courage and strength that their surviving families have demonstrated. We remember…

JON LESLIE ALBERT

ALEXANDER H. CHIANG

WELLES REMY CROWTHER

RICHARD JOSEPH CUDINA

THOMAS DOWD

CARL M. FLICKINGER

THOMAS J. FOLEY (FDNY)

FREDRIC NEAL GABLER

YUDHVIR S. JAIN

VANESSA LANG LANGER AND HER UNBORN CHILD

ERIC LEHRFELD

LAURA MARIA LONGING

MARK GAVIN LUDVIGSEN

JOSEPH ROSS MARCHBANKS, JR. (FDNY)

JOHN DANIEL MARSHALL (FDNY)

DONALD JAMES MCINTYRE (PAPD)

BRIAN CHRISTOPHER NOVOTNY

DAVID ORTIZ

KEVIN O. REILLY (FDNY)

VERNON ALLAN RICHARD (FDNY)

JOSEPH ROBERTO

ROBERT W. SPEAR, JR. (FDNY)

CRAIG WILLIAM STAUB

STEVEN WEINBERG

DAVID TERENCE WOOLEY (FDNY)

MICHAEL T. WHOLEY