Riverhead never forgets: Town to commemorate 25th anniversary of 9/11
A quarter century after terrorists struck on Sept. 11, 2001, Riverhead will pause to remember the thousands of lives lost — including souls from the East End — and honor the first responders and recovery workers who answered the call.
Riverhead Town’s 25th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the World Trade Center Memorial Park, at the corner of Edwards and Riley avenues in Calverton.
Led by Town Clerk Jim Wooten, the public ceremony will honor those killed in the attacks and reflect on the heroism, sacrifice and unity demonstrated that day and in its aftermath.
Riverhead Town Hall will delay opening until 11:30 a.m. to allow town employees to attend the service.
On Sept. 11, 2001, 19 Al Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners, ramming two into the World Trade Center towers and a third into the Pentagon. Passengers and crew fought back aboard the fourth plane, Flight 93, which crashed near Shanksville, Pa. The attacks killed 2,977 people: 2,753 in New York, 184 at the Pentagon and 40 aboard Flight 93.
The remembrance will continue Saturday, Sept. 12, at Calverton National Cemetery, where the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration and Carry The Load will host a Patriot Day National Day of Service and Remembrance.
The program begins at 10 a.m. in the cemetery’s assembly area. After a brief ceremony, volunteers will spend several hours weeding mulched planting beds. Participants should bring work gloves and a small hand tool for pulling weeds. Buckets will be provided.
Volunteers can register through Carry The Load. Additional information is available from the National Cemetery Administration.
