Ceremony highlights those who have run toward danger then, and now.
"I've yet to get through a 9/11 since 2001 without shedding more than a few tears..." —Sgt. Christopher Callahan, SSPD
On the 24th anniversary of the attacks of 9/11, Saratoga remembered the fallen and asked people to remember and honor the ones who run toward danger in a time of crisis.
The half-hour long Commemoration and Remembrance Ceremony in High Rock Park at the 9/11 memorial drew 300 or more people, many in fire fighter, police or military uniforms.
They came to honor the thousands who died in the attacks that toppled the World Trade Center in New York City, destroyed a wedge of the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia, and forced a crash landing of a plane in Pennsylvania before that plane could do more damage on Tuesday morning Sept. 11, 2001.
“This is just a day to remember every person who has, who has stepped up…and given their lives, who've run toward the danger not away from it,” said Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford.
“And we have people here today who have made that commitment to this country and to the city,” he said, addressing the women and men in uniform at the event. “And for one I want to say, thank you. Thank you for what you're doing, thank you for standing up for us,” Mayor John Safford told those gathered.
“We will never forget. We will never forget what you've done for this country or for this city,” he said, a line followed by strong applause.
Captain James R. Diefenderfer Jr. the commanding officer of the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Ballston Spa who said he has watched many sailors join the Navy, those now often too young or not born when the attacks occurred. As with other speakers, he focused on the people who took action to help others.
“I want my sailors to remember that we will continue to honor those who stood up and went forward,” Diefenderfer Jr. said.
The keynote speaker, Sgt. Christopher Callahan of the Saratoga Springs Police Department, told the story of his time in the military during and after 9/11, and of his friend Army Staff Sgt. Daine Venne, a native of Port Henry, on the western shore of Lake Champlain.
Growing emotional at times, he recounted Venne’s death in a roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan about a decade into the war in that country.
“I've yet to get through a 9/11 since 2001 without shedding more than a few tears for all those who lost their lives tragically that day,” Sgt. Callahan said. “I also can't help but feel a sense of pride for all those who stood up and answered the call of their fellow country when their fellow countrymen needed them. I'm thankful for all the brave men and women who responded the twin towers that day to save as many lives as they could. Thankful for all the men and women here today who have volunteered to run into burning buildings and save lives or to run towards the sound of gunfire when everyone else runs from it.”
It was the theme of the day.
The ceremony also included: Keith Koster, Adjutant-American Legion Adirondack Post 70, who led the ceremony; musician Jeff Brisbin, who sang two Bruce Springsteen songs, "City of Ruins,” and “You're Missing” along with "America the Beautiful” by Katharine Lee Bates; the Color Guard of the Saratoga Springs Police Dept.; singer Christine Taylor Price of Opera Saratoga, who sang the national anthem; Minister Steven Boxley, of Community Faith, who presented the invocation; Saratoga Springs Fire Chief Joseph J. Dolan and Assistant Chief Eric Warfield, who laid wreaths; Members of the Saratoga Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Jill Littrell, First Vice Regent; Master Sgt. (Ret) Allen Moon, of the Air Force, who played Taps; and Rabbi Ilana Symons, Temple Sinai who gave the benediction.
The gathering took place at the “Tempered by Memory” sculpture, built of iron from the World Trade Center. Saratoga Springs sent first responders to New York City after the attacks.