The borough will again stand united while remembering for the 13th year the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
As has been the case since the heinous attacks on our country on September 11, 2001, remembrances of the borough’s 143 fallen civilians and first responders will take place throughout the borough.
One of the most well-attended ceremonies is at a permanent memorial at Jacobi Medical Center’s Pelham Parkway campus listing names of borough people who perished in the World Trade Center attacks.
It will take place at the memorial, located next to the Staff House/Building #2, at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 11. To R.S.V.P., or for parking arrangements, call (718) 918-3827.
“I feel that events like this are important to help people heal and give everyone the opportunity to have a place where they can meditate and be with their thoughts,” said Silvio Mazzella, chairman of the JMC Community Advisory Board, which hosts the event. “The people remembered are all unsung heros and we should never forget them. They all contributed to, and stand for, our freedom.”
Fellow JMC CAB member Al D’Angelo said that the occasion is a time for solemn remembrance, patriotism and for bringing the country together.
In addition to the Jacobi remembrance, Borough Present Ruben Diaz Jr. and the Supreme Court of Bronx County will host an event to remember the fallen at Lou Gehrig Plaza at East 161st Street and the Grand Concourse on Friday, September 12. People should start gathering at noon, and the event will begin at 12:30.
Honoring first responders is also on the borough’s ‘agenda,’ with Senator Jeff Klein holding his Fourth Annual First Responder Appreciation BBQ at Orchard Beach on Saturday, September 6. Anyone wishing to attend must RSVP at (718) 822-2049.
“This will be our Fourth Annual First Responders Appreciation Barbecue and I’m looking forward to a great event,” said Klein. “Three hundred and sixty-five days a year, 24-hours a day, our first responders put their lives on the line for this community and this is just a small token of our enormous gratitude.”
He added: “Along with the support of our community sponsors – our local establishments, businesses, veterans and families – we all have a chance to say thank you to our local first responders while enjoying good food and a great atmosphere.”
According to Klein’s office, this year’s first responder barbecue’s main sponsor is The Lobster House, and the honorees from the Police Department are 50th Precinct Deputy Inspector Paul Rasa and 43rd Precinct Lieutenant Jeremy Scheublin. Fire Department honorees are Division Chief Roberto Colon, Deputy Chief Stephen Lincke, Captain Kevin Haugh, Paramedic Ashley Alejo, Paramedic Michael Liporace, Emergency Medical Technician Salustino Sanabria, EMT Aramis Sierra, Paramedic Richard Bonet, and EMT Ronald Gamble.
Groups and others honored include New York Hospital, the FDNY’s Engines 72 and Ladder 50, Fire Engine 89 and Ladder 50, and EMS – Metro North Train Derailment, according to Klein’s office.
Also planned, but not yet confirmed as of press time, is a sunset memorial held annually at a 9/11 monument in Throggs Neck at East Tremont Avenue and the Cross Bronx Expressway service road.
As of press time, the permits were not yet obtained, but Community Board 10 was working on a last-minute fix. The event is usually held on September 11th.
“Community Board 10 took up the mantle on this, and is working with relevant government agencies to get the permit,” said CB 10 district manager Kenneth Kearns just before press.
