East Hampton Remembers 9/11 Victims

People from across East Hampton joined police officers, volunteer firefighters, and emergency medical technicians on Friday in remembering the events of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The memorial ceremony, organized by the East Hampton Town Chiefs Association, drew a crowd of more than 200 to the memorial green at Hook Mill in East Hampton Village. There they heard remarks from Bruce Schiavoni, the president of the association and a chief in the Sag Harbor Fire Department, as well as East Hampton Village Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. and East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell.

Many, like Dr. Consuelo Bossey of Springs, recounted the feelings of shock and disbelief felt that day across the country.

"I thought, 'This just doesn't happen in America,' " she said. "My eyes filled up, and again just talking about it now. What a horror."

Still others took a few moments to reflect on the events that followed Sept. 11, 2001. "I don't think we've come very far. We should have gone into Afghanistan instead of Iraq, and now we have [Islamic State militants]," another resident, Amelia Schirrippa, said. "It's a very sad day, but I'm very proud of everyone who helped that day at Ground Zero."

Margery Courtney of Springs said events such as Friday's ceremony are imperative. "I think this is very, very important. We should never forget. It should be in the minds of our young people. . . . The phrase 'lest we forget' is an important one," she said.