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General News: Cornwall Honors Emergency Responders on 9-11
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| The fire departments entered before they laid wreaths at the 9-11 memorial bench. |
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| Members of the middle school band played patriotic tunes. |
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| The new monument is unveiled. |
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| A close-up of the new monument. |
September 12, 2008
A solemn crowd gathered at Chadeayne Circle in Cornwall on Thursday evening to mark the seventh anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States. And, reflecting the sense of community and commitment evidenced by the scores of first responders and citizens there, a new monument honoring Cornwall’s emergency service workers was unveiled in a small patch of green now known as Unity Park.
Thursday’s crystal clear skies recalled the scene seven years ago when terrorists hijacked four airplanes and drove them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania, a horrific event that shattered the nation's innocence. Nearly 3,000 people loss their lives in the attacks and the rescue efforts that followed.
The incredible sense of loss and heroism faced on that day in 2001 was palpable again at the memorial at Unity Park, which was hosted by Cornwall Historical Society president Maryann Rose and Cornwall Deputy Supervisor Mary Beth Greene Krafft. Captain Watts, Superintendent of the New York Military Academy, voiced the thoughts of many when he said, “We will always remember the profound acts of that day.”
Cornwall lost only one person on 9-11, New York City firefighter Kenneth Kumpel, but it shared the grief of millions who lost a sense of innocence in the attacks. Kumpel’s widow, Nancy, and his two teenaged sons gathered for Thursday’s remembrance.
Former Cornwall town supervisor Richard Randazzo presented the new monument honoring Cornwall’s emergency response units, a project he had planned before he left office at the end of 2007. “This recognition is long overdue,” Randazzo told the crowd, “This monument will enhance our community and be a reminder of what emergency responders do.”
The granite monument was paid for by the town of Cornwall with fees paid by developers for capital projects in the parks and recreation department, Randazzo said. It was erected in the small park next to Canterbury Brook that was restored during the summer.
After the unveiling of the monument honoring emergency service workers, Cornwall fire department chief Patrick Hines recalled the long history of the fire department, dating back to 1830, and the people who had lost their lives in service to the Cornwall community.
Here are the people that Chief Hines remembered:
Cornwall Firefighter George Bayard – 1923
Cornwall Firefighter Kenneth Morrison – 1957
Cornwall-on-Hudson Firefighter Thomas Ringlehan – 1973
Cornwall Firefight Jack Ward –1979
COVAC member Bonnie Fay – 1981
Salisbury Mills Firefighter Harry Sauer, Sr. – 1985
Vails Gate Firefighter Sean McGuire – 1986
Cornwall Police Officer John Machuca – 1989
Cornwall-on-Hudson Police Officer Robert D’Egido – 1991
“Al calls may seem like a routine call,” Hines told the crowd, as the ceremony honoring the first responders ended, “but every call may be their last call for service.”
Learn more about Kenneth Kumpel here.
Click on any photo for a larger image.
Comments:
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Mayor Joe Gross gave an eloquent speech at this service which was deeply referent.Please include it in your next newsletter as I know our community will find his words reassuring.
Thanks,
Lolly
posted by Lydia Davis on 09/13/08 at 8:29 AM
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