West Haven Voice

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City commemorates 9/11 dead

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The sun rises over Savin Rock on Saturday as hundreds of American flags blow in the wind near the boardwalk on Long Island Sound. The flags represent the 343 New York City firefighters who died in the line of duty on Sept. 11, 2001, as well as the 257 active and retired FDNY members who have died of 9/11-related illnesses, including cancer.

By Michael P. Walsh

Special to the Voice

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi delivers remarks at West Haven’s commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the evening of 9/11 during a flag-raising ceremony at the Bradley Point Park flagpole. Looking on is Rossi’s executive assistant, Louis P. Esposito Jr., the master of ceremonies.

Watch “West Haven Remembers 9/11: September 11, 2021” on the city’s YouTube channel.

West Haven commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the evening of 9/11 with a flag-raising ceremony at the Bradley Point Park flagpole, followed by a candlelight vigil at the city’s 9/11 memorial.

The solemn observance began with a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Honor Guard and the flag-raising by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard and the New Haven County Firefighters Emerald Society Pipes & Drums.

The flag-raising honored the memory of the nearly 3,000 people who died in the attacks.

The service included poignant remarks by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, Police Chief Joseph S. Perno and West Haven Fire Department Chief James P. O’Brien.

Louis P. Esposito Jr., Rossi’s executive assistant, was the master of ceremonies, and Grace Kelly Nowak sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.”

A half-hour later, members of the West Haven Rotary Club distributed candles and programs at the Richard S. Gabrielle Sept. 11 Memorial, just off the boardwalk next to the Savin Rock Conference Center. The granite monument, paid for by the service club in 2002, was designed by Harold J. Schaller of H.K. Peacock Memorials Inc. in Valhalla, New York.

Police Chief Joseph S. Perno gives remarks at the city’s 9/11 ceremony as Esposito bows his head.

Gabrielle, 50, of West Haven, was killed during the attack on the twin towers in New York’s World Trade Center complex. An insurance broker at Aon Corp., he was last seen on the south tower’s 78th floor.

Declared Patriot Day by Congress in 2002, the city flew flags at half-staff in recognition of the national day of remembrance.

The vigil featured a wreath-laying by Deputy Police Chief Carl V. Flemmig Jr. and Deputy Chief Michael T. Esposito of the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown, followed by taps played by former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon.

It also included Celtic folk performances by Irish singer-songwriter Liz McNicholl, including “The Bravest,” a tribute to the heroes of 9/11, as well as a remembrance prayer by Vertical Church Pastor Ken Vance and a performance of “Amazing Grace” by the emerald society.

Watch the ceremony on West Haven YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtHnw2QZ_Ac.