“We learned a lot that day,” said New York Assemblymember Dan Stec. “We learned how hate and jealousy and misguided rage can lead to twisted extremism; we learned how fear and cowardice can manifest into blind violence. But, we also learned something far more magnificent — the true power of the indomitable American spirit.”
Stec spoke at the Warrensburg 9/11 memorial service held Tuesday evening at the bandstand in the center of town. The service, hosted each September 11 by the Warrensburg Volunteer Fire Company, was attended by approximately 300 people. The crowd included area residents, American Legion members, Boy Scouts and the Johnsburg, Bolton, North Creek, Horicon, Lake George, Thurman, Pottersville and Chestertown fire departments. The Warrensburg Jr./Sr. High School Band under the direction of Denise Foster and the school’s vocal music teacher James Corriveau provided music.
“It was a day of fear, a day of chaos and ultimately a day of mourning,” said Stec. “The destruction caused by those who meant us harm is immeasurable, but, as Americans always do, we dug deep, rallied around each other, and stood tall as we looked into the face of evil.” Stec pointed to the heroism of first responders on that day and the resilience of the American people following the attacks as “a true testament of America’s greatness.”
“We will not forget the events of September 11, 2001, nor should we, but we must not only remember the destruction of the day, we must also remember that our enemies tried to tear us down, and we responded with unity. We must remember that we fought hatred and malice with love and compassion.” – Assemblymember Dan Stec
The Warrensburg 9/11 Memorial Service included a short film projected on an outdoor screen telling the story of the 9/11 boatlift that rescued citizens from Lower Manhattan in the hours following the attacks. As people, many covered in soot, fled Ground Zero, it became evident to boat operators that, with bridges and tunnels closed, they controlled the only transportation off the island.
According to the documentary, the Coast Guard put out a call for help, and the harbor was quickly filled with hundreds of boats — ferries, private boats, party boats and tugboats — ready to help with the evacuation. Over a nine-hour period, boat operators, working together, had transported 500,000 off Manhattan Island.
Warrensburg First Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Roth called on those attending the ceremony to live each day keeping in mind the unity that followed the September 11 attacks. “As a country, we need to continue to be unified,” says Roth. “To learn and grow from the horrific events of that day, to always remember that life is short and can be drastically changed in an instant. There is not a time to hold hate and resentment in our hearts, instead, choose to live each day for ourselves, our families, and loved ones in honor of those who made the ultimate, and most selfless, sacrifice.”
Roth ended his remarks with a request: “I sincerely ask that everyone here think about that simple notion each and every day in the choices you make and life that you lead. Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness or generosity, is a way to honor those lost, a way to reclaim and forever hold on to that unbelievable spirit of unity that followed 9/11.”