Mia Costa, who lost loved ones in the World Trade Center tragedy, restores flags during a previous 9/11 memorial ceremony at SUNY New Paltz. (Photo by Lauren Thomas)
SUNY-New Paltz will hold two events to commemorate the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. The College has organized a panel discussion on Thursday, Sept. 8, and a flag-planting ceremony in remembrance of those who lost their lives and in recognition of all first responders. The ceremony will take place at noon this Friday, Sept. 9, on the Old Main Quad.
Both of these events are open to the public.
President Donald P. Christian will preside over the ceremony. Scheduled speakers include a first responder from the local community, the Rev. Tobias Anderson from Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Paltz, and James Halpern, professor of psychology and director of the Institute for Disaster Mental Health. Halpern was at the World Trade Center site following the Sept. 11 attacks to offer mental health first aid.
Campus chimes will ring this Sunday, Sept. 11, at 8:46, 9:03, 9:37 and 10:03 a.m. (the times of the attacks on the World Trade Center Towers and Pentagon and the crash of the fourth jet in Shanksville, Pa.) The community is encouraged to reflect in silence as the chimes sound. After the last chimes, members of the community are welcome to bring home a flag in memory.
In addition to its commemorative ceremony, the Honors Center is sponsoring a panel discussion titled “Ten Years On…Reflections on 9/11,” from 5 to 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, Sept. 8, in the Honors Center. The moderator will be Gerald Benjamin, associate vice president for regional engagement and director of the Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO).
Members of the New Paltz Rescue Squad, the New Paltz Fire Department, the New Paltz Police Department and the University Police Department will participate in the flag-planting ceremony.
Highland remembers
In memory of those lost in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, the Highland Fire Department, American Legion, VFW and Police Department of the Town of Lloyd and Town of Lloyd Events Committee will hold a gathering at Highland Hose Station 1 on Milton Avenue this Sunday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. The unveiling of the 911 monument made from an artifact from Ground Zero will be unveiled during the ceremony. For more information, please contact Wendy Rosinski at 691-2144.
Pay your respects
To commemorate the tenth anniversary of Sept. 11, the New Paltz community is invited to pay their respects — spend some time meditating, leave a poem, a flower or a thought — at the New Paltz Sept. 11 memorial tree and plaque located at the fire station at the corner of North Putt Corners Road and Henry W. Dubois Drive. The tree and plaque was donated by the late Carmine Liberta and Butch Dener.
