Westchester County Marks 25th Anniversary of September 11 With Interfaith Prayer Vigil

Prayer Vigil Marks Start of Two-Day Memorial Honoring 9/11 Victims and Responders

Watch the Interfaith Prayer Vigil Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQoHKJ-xUlc

As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Westchester County gathered Thursday evening for its annual Interfaith Prayer Vigil, bringing together residents, first responders, elected officials and faith leaders to remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and the first responders who have since passed away from 9/11-related illnesses.

Held at the County’s 9/11 Memorial, The Rising, the vigil served as the opening event of Westchester’s annual September 11 remembrance. The ceremony featured prayers led by:

Reverend Kym McNair, MDiv., S.T.M.
Westchester County Director of Faith Based Initiatives
Imam Shaffieq Chace
Westchester Muslim Center
Rabbi Lester Bronstein
Rabbi Emeritus, Bet Am Shalom Synagogue in White Plains
Abhilash Tiwari
Hindu Temple of Tri-State

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Twenty-five years have passed, but the pain and sacrifice of September 11 remain with us. Tonight, we came together across faiths and backgrounds to remember every life that was lost and to honor the first responders whose service continues to claim lives decades later. As we unveil new names on our First Responders Memorial, we recommit to our promise that their sacrifice, and the sacrifice of every victim of September 11, will never be forgotten.”

Deputy County Executive Joan McDonald said: “This evening reminds us that the legacy of September 11 did not end 25 years ago. Families continue to mourn loved ones, and our first responders continue to bear the lasting effects of their service. By coming together across faiths and generations, we honor their memory and renew our promise never to forget those whose lives were forever changed.”

Westchester County Director of Faith-Based Initiatives Reverend Kym McNair said: “Prayer has the power to unite people across every faith and every generation. As we mark this milestone anniversary, we stand together in remembrance, offering comfort to grieving families and honoring the enduring legacy of those whose lives were forever changed by September 11. May we continue to choose compassion, unity and hope as we move forward together.”

Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Vedat Gashi said: “Twenty-five years later, we come together across faiths and traditions to remember the Westchester lives lost on September 11 and in the years since from 9/11-related illnesses. This vigil gives us a moment to reflect, to honor their memory and to stand beside the families who continue to carry their loss. In doing so, we carry forward the compassion and sense of community that brought people together after September 11.”

Bet Am Shalom Synagogue Rabbi Emeritus Lester Bronstein said: "We imagine God looking back on that day and saying, 'I gave you the capacity to remember, to care, to unite. Now use it for good.'"

Westchester Muslim Center Imam Shaffieq Chace said: "For 25 years, we have carried the memory of those we lost and the weight of what happened that day. As we pray together, we remember that every life is sacred and that our differences should never divide us. My hope is that we continue to choose compassion over hatred, understanding over fear and unity over division, honoring the memory of those we lost by building a more peaceful and caring world."

Hindu Temple of Tri-State Abhilash Tiwari said: “I would like to offer three ancient Hindu prayers in about 4-5 minutes. The prayers convey universal messages of peace, unity, and the well-being of all humanity. The first invoke peace throughout creation—in the heavens, the space between heaven and earth, the earth, waters, herbs and medicinal plants, trees, divine beings, and all that exists. The second expresses a call for people to be protected, nourished, and strengthened to work together, concluding with the profound wish, 'May we not hate one another.' The third extends the prayer to all people: 'May all be happy, may all be free from suffering, may all experience what is good, and may no one experience sorrow.' Together, the prayers offer a message of remembrance, compassion, and hope, honoring those who lost their lives on September 11, their families and loved ones.”

9/11 First Responders Memorial Committee Co-Chair Georgia Asciutto said: "As we come together on the eve of the 25th Anniversary of September 11, to pray, mourn and reflect on the many lives lost and the sacrifices made, we must also remember their innocence, bravery and honor in the pursuit of humanity. It has been 25 years of grief, pain and loss for so many families."

9/11 First Responders Memorial Committee Co-Chair Matthew J. McCauley said: “As we gather on this somber evening at the interfaith vigil, we reflect on the selfless sacrifice that was made by our First Responders on September 11th, 2001, as well as those in the 25 years since that we have lost due to 9/11 related illnesses they contracted during the rescue and recovery effort. We thank County Executive Jenkins and his team for recognizing the continued need for this special evening that provides the families of those lost with a peaceful and spiritual environment to gather with each other and remember those we memorialized here. As the number of 9/11 related illness fatalities continues to increase, we honor our commitment to the Westchester County 9/11 Community to ensure that their friends, colleagues, and family members are forever recognized for their great sacrifices and to never forget.”

The vigil also included the presentation of colors by the Westchester County Department of Public Safety Color Guard, a ceremonial wreath-laying at the steel beam from the World Trade Center and closing remarks from McDonald recognizing the continued impact of September 11 on Westchester families and first responders.

During the ceremony, Westchester County unveiled eight additional names etched into the 9/11 First Responders Memorial, honoring those who died from illnesses linked to their service following the attacks. The names are:

Albert A. Corelli
Local 3
Lt. Fran D’Angelo-Girolamo
Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps
Technician David R. Dlugin
Local 1101
Firefighter Kenny Fusco
Harrison Fire Department
Mechanic Tom Hanusik
Village of Pelham
Detective Annmarie Smith
NYPD
Firefighter Paul Sutorius
Pelham Manor Fire Department
Chief and Capt. Curtis L. Taylor
Pelham Fire Department & New Rochelle Fire Department

Every individual honored on the First Responders Memorial either lived in Westchester County, worked in the County or volunteered within Westchester, ensuring their service and sacrifice will continue to be remembered for generations to come.

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