Families of local Sept. 11 victims gathered at Westchester?s permanent memorial, called ?the Rising,? Thursday to honor their loved ones who perished in the terrorist attacks seven years ago.

Ryan Zeplin was just 3 years old when his father, Marc Zeplin, died in the north tower. His brother, Ethan, had only just been born. Seven years later, the two young brothers, joined by their mother and grandparents, arrived at the memorial to pay tribute to their father and the other local victims who died.

"I don't want the kids to go to the city," says Debra Zeplin. "[I] think this is a better place for them to visit."

The local memorial, situated in Valhalla, is made up of 109 steel beams, shooting into the sky in honor of those who died. It was dedicated at the foot of Kensico Dam Plaza two years ago on the five-year anniversary of the attacks.

County Executive Andy Spano laid a white wreath at the memorial Thursday morning in honor of the local victims.

"We're keeping this low key,? Spano says. ?We don't want the event to overshadow the lives of the people who are represented here."

Husbands, wives and children of those who perished on Sept. 11, 2001, say their pilgrimage to the Rising is the most peaceful part of a difficult day.