BY ALLY KOWALSKI
MIDDLETOWN –The 37 lives Middletown lost on September 11, 2001, were honored last night during a memorial event called “Middletown Remembers Sept. 11,” a phrase also printed on the banners now hung from lamp posts and lining the streets by the Middletown train station.
Nicole Bemko, a freshman at Middletown North High School, a Girl Scout Cadette for Troop 1851, assisted at yesterday’s Sept. 11 Memorial event. This meant handing out carnations, programs, and mini American flags for those who came to visit, observe and mourn the victims of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center
“We wanted to help out and volunteer to show our respect,” Bemko said, who knows of one girl who lost her father in the attacks.
“It could’ve been anybody, at any time, on a different day,” Bemko said of the attack. Only a preschooler at the time of the events, she said that she does not remember the day too clearly, just the confusion of not knowing what was going on.
It was 6:35 p.m. when Middletown Mayor Anthony Fiore opened the ceremony, and the color guards marched in as the U.S. Navy presented the colors. Children of the victims of 9/11 then began to lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the St. Mary Parish Choir, who sang the national anthem. On their last note, roughly a dozen white doves were released into the air, flying over the crowd.
Mayor Fiore then addressed the crowd, explaining that despite its size, Middletown has always been a very tight-knit community, one that really came together during the tragedy. He expressed sadness that his daughters would never see the “majestic towers,” and said it was critical to teach the lessons from this event to younger generations.
His speech ended with the advice, “Never forget. Never surrender.”
Later in the ceremony, Senator Joesph M. Kyrillos, Jr. also commented on the “tight-knit” relationship the community showed, especially after the attacks.
“We went through the worst, but it brought out the best,” he said.
After a prayer from Rev. Scott Harris, the Candle Light ceremony began, and each family lit a candle on stage, then proceeded to walk through the gardens.
The gardens trail entrance was marked with a large arch that read, “World Trade Center Memorial Gardens,” and lead to a path through the trees that honored the victims of the attack. Each person had a stonehead with a picture of his or her face and a quote next to it. All had a single white candle on the ground next to it, and assorted flowers adorning each one. Others had seashells, rosaries, and one even had a small storybook on a stand.
Deanna Corio, of Middletown lost her uncle, Paul Nimbley. She said that looking back on the experience, she has learned to not take anything for granted.
After the concluding candle lighting ceremony, everyone was invited inside the Middletown Arts Center to see different pieces inspired by 9/11.
Maggie O’Brien, director of the Arts Center, said that people, most of whom were locals, submitted artwork to the center for the display on their own.
Puzzle pieces lined the walls in the entrance, and all in the main hallway. Some had obviously 9/11 references, or shared peace messages, while others had 3-D designs, and one even sported a picture of the Simpsons.
Further inside, photographs and paintings were displayed, and a craft table was set up for people of all ages to “create someone who you feel connected to.” The craft was in coordination with a project held by Amanda’s Easel.
Sue Griffin of Middletown waited outside in the hallway lined with puzzle pieces while she waited for her daughter to use the restroom. When trying to recall her day on Sept. 11, 2001, she paused for awhile, then said, “There’s just too much too remember.”
She said events like these are important, because, “you move on by remembering the past.” As she explained to her 7-year-old daughter, “Not everybody’s nice, you just have to keep doing what’s right.”
Looking back, she said, “People bond together and get through what’s terrible, and they come out stronger on the other end.”