Rockland County honors 9/11 victims at annual remembrance ceremony
Families, friends and community members gathered at Haverstraw Bay Park to remember the 85 Rockland residents lost in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and reaffirm a commitment to never forget.
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Rockland County held its annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony Friday morning at Haverstraw Bay Park in Haverstraw.
The sound of a bell echoed through the park as the crowd stood in silence, each toll serving as a reminder of the 85 Rockland residents who died during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks 25 years ago.
"There are days it feels like yesterday and days it feels like a quarter of a century," said Laurie Weinberg, of New City.
Weinberg lost her husband, Steven, who worked in the South Tower. He was 41 years old. The couple had three young children at the time of his death.
Today, those children attend the annual ceremony with families of their own.
"I never want it to be far from people's minds that every name had a face and a family and people who love them and miss them every day," Weinberg said.
Many attendees gathered to remember loved ones lost in the attacks, including Brandon Bloom of Rockland County.
"I had an uncle that passed away. He was my best friend. I miss him so much. It's 25 years, but 25 years feels like yesterday," Bloom said.
Clarkstown Police Chaplain David Lothrop told families that this may be the last time he leads the ceremony, a role he has held for many years. Lothrop shared with News 12 that he has been battling 9/11-related illness.
"It was quite an honor to know each and every one of them and they've become dear friends of mine," Lothrop said. "I want them to know that I'll always be there for them. Even though I may retire."
The annual ceremony brought together families, friends and community members to honor those lost and reaffirm the commitment to never forget.
The Rockland County ceremony also remembered Robert Kirkpatrick of Suffern, who died in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
