Montgomery - Orange County Executive Edward A. Diana and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation Commissioner Richard Rose invite the community to attend the September 11th Patriot Day ceremony to be held at the Orange County Arboretum in Montgomery on Saturday, September 11th at 5 p.m.
The ceremony, which is open to the public, will honor the memory of the 44 Orange County residents who lost their lives on that tragic day and pay tribute to the brave military personnel who have so valiantly served our nation. Families and survivors of September 11 and families of local military personnel are invited to participate in the remembrance ceremony and join the procession assembling at the Arboretum’s Ottaway Education Center.
"Men and women from Orange County have sacrificed for our great nation from its earliest days. On September 11 we remember those 44 Orange County residents who made the ultimate sacrifice when our nation was struck by tragedy. It is our honor to pay tribute to them on Patriot Day, as well as to those lost in Pennsylvania, at the Pentagon, and in Afghanistan and Iraq," said County Executive Diana.
Honored guests, elected officials, military personnel, and family and friends will be welcomed by County Executive Diana and NY State Senator William J. Larkin Jr., Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Lynn Atkinson, Commanding Officer, United States Marine Corp., MAG-49 Det. B. will be the guest speaker.
The procession along the Remembrance Walkway will be lead by honor guards from the U.S. Marine Corp., Orange County Sheriff’s Office, NY State Police, New Windsor Legion Post 1796, and Valley Central High School Junior ROTC. The Ancient Order of Hibernians will guide the families and survivors to their seats by the memorial.
Guitarist Richard Pell will perform and the Song of the Valley Chorus, Sweet Adelines International will sing the National Anthem and a medley of patriotic songs. Rev. William Scafidi, St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Newburgh, will offer the Invocation, Rev. David W. Zirilli, Harmony Baptist Church, Middletown, will offer the Prayer of Remembrance, and Rev. Peter Rustico, St. Johns Lutheran, Middletown, will provide the Benediction.
Community supporter and memorial benefactor James W. Taylor Jr. and William J. Bratton Jr., representing the families, will read the names of those who perished on September 11, as well as the names of our local servicemen who have made the ultimate sacrifice since then.
The tolling of a bell will sound followed by a 21 gun salute by Maybrook VFW Post 2064, and echoing taps will be played by Jack Storer and Brittany German. Bagpipe Major Tom Fleming will perform Amazing Grace. The Otisville Brass will perform following the ceremony.
The beautiful and uniquely moving September 11 Memorial features a 10-foot granite globe that rotates as it hydroplanes in a pool of water. The names of the 44 local heroes are identified on bronze plaques around the pool. The Military Tribute monument is dedicated to those who have served, are serving, and will be serving our Country.
The Orange County Arboretum is operated in cooperation with the Friends of the Orange County Arboretum, Inc. and the Department of Parks and is located at 41Grove Street within the Thomas Bull Memorial Park Memorial Park, State Route 416, Montgomery, NY. For additional information, please call 845.615.3824 or visit www.orangecountygov.com or www.orangecountyarboretum.org.
