The Bronx will once again come together this month to remember the 12th anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11.
As has been the case since the heinous attacks, Jacobi Medical Center and its Community Advisory Board will once again host a remembrance ceremony for all those from the borough and beyond who perished in the 9/11 attacks and their aftermath.
The ceremony at Jacobi will take place at a permanent memorial on the hospital’s Pelham Parkway campus starting promptly at 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
“Each year, we pause to remember those who perished on September 11th 2001, including our brave first responders who place themselves in harm’s way each and every day,” said North Bronx Healthcare Network CAB chairman Silvio Mazzella. “It’s important that we take a few moments of time each year to reflect on the dark hours of that day and how we came together as a community, as a city and as a nation as we responded with strength to this tragedy.”
Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.’s office and the Supreme Court of Bronx County will host their own remembrance ceremony, as they have in years past.
This year’s Day of Remembrance will take place between noon and 2 p.m. Friday, September 13 at Lou Gehrig Plaza on East 161st Street and the Grand Concourse.
“It has been 12 years since the terror attacks on September 11th, and the sadness still remains in all our hearts,” said Diaz. “Every year my office holds a 9/11 remembrance event to unite all Bronxites in commemoration of the 2,998 lives lost, 143 of which were from the Bronx.”
Diaz added: “I encourage all Bronxites that during this time, we offer support and comfort to our brothers and sisters who have lost someone. Regardless of the pain that 9/11 brings to us we must also remember that we must show the world that Americans will not submit to terror.”
Throggs Neck’s annual 9/11 sunset remembrance ceremony will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m., at a permanent memorial in that community. It is located at the intersection of the Cross Bronx Expressway service road and East Tremont Avenue, next to Engine 72 at 3929 East Tremont Ave.
The tragedy still is taking a toll, as many of the police, firefighters and others who went to work on “the pile” have come down with cancer and other illnesses directly caused by what they experienced during their time there.
It is also a wake-up-call that the deadline is fast approaching on Thursday, October 3 for those involved to sign up for possible claims from a federal victims fund established under the federal Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
Assemblyman Michael Benedetto urges all those who may be eligible to apply for benefits.
It is for any of the first responders or survivors who became ill and sustained injuries, but also applies to surviving family members who may have lost victims, he said.
“We owe them, and we shouldn’t shirk that responsibility and that is what the Health and Compensation Act is all about,” said Benedetto. “Boy, we don’t want to have anyone miss out on that. It is theirs. They are entitled.”
In the spirit of always remembering, Senator Jeff Klein will host his annual First Responder Appreciation BBQ on Saturday, September 21 at Orchard Beach’s section four from noon to 4 p.m. If you are an eligible first responder, please R.S.V.P. at (718) 822-2049. RSVPs are required.
