Westchester County honors lives lost on 9/11, along with those who died since from related illnesses
The county held its annual memorial ceremony Friday at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla.
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Westchester County honored those who lost their lives on Sept. 11 and those who have died since from 9/11-related illnesses. The county held its annual memorial ceremony Friday at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla.
"Twenty-five years have passed since one of the darkest days in our nation’s history, but the memories remain as vivid as ever for so many families here in Westchester. While time has moved forward, the impact of Sept. 11 has not faded. We continue to lose brave men and women who answered the call that day, and we continue to stand beside the families who carry that loss with them. As we unveiled eight new names on our First Responders Memorial, we renewed our promise that every life and every sacrifice will forever be remembered," said Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins.
Included in those eight names added to the First Responders Memorial is Technician David R. Dlugin.
“He's been a really big part of my life. I will still be able to know that I knew him and I know how to basically keep his memory going," said Dlugin's granddaughter, Annalise Colon.
His family told News 12 that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2024. He passed away last year.
“I do Boy Scouts and he did Boy Scouts. I'm doing what he did. I'm carrying on his legacy," said Dlugin's grandson, Evan Colon.
The names of the lives lost on 9/11 and those who have passed since from related illnesses, were read aloud at the ceremony, as the community gathered to reflect, honor and vow to never forget.
"On this 25th commemoration of the Sept. 11 attacks, we celebrate the lives of those we lost that day as well as those we have lost since due to 9/11 their related illnesses. It is important that we celebrate them for all the good they brought to the world and the legacy that is part of all our lives today," said Matthew McCauley, co-chair of the 9/11 First Responders Memorial Committee.
