Pelham Remembers 9/11 Victims

Even after 10 years, the heartache caused by the 9/11 terrorist attacks was still palpable Saturday morning during Pelham’s memorial ceremony.

More than 100 people attended the ceremony, which took place at the town’s 9/11 memorial on Harmon Avenue.

The memorial, which was dedicated in 2007, was built to honor Michael Boccardi, Montgomery Hord, Thomas E. Hynes, Joseph Leavey, Robert McLaughlin, Amy O’Doherty, Joseph Shea, Daniel J. Shea, Robert Scandole and Michael Tamuccio. Those are the 10 Pelham community members who lost their lives during the attacks.

“The passage of time cannot make this tragic event a distant memory,” said Joe Solimine, the town supervisor. “Since the original dedication of this memorial, I’ve passed it hundreds of times. For me and, I hope, all of you it serves as a constant reminder of our neighbors who fell victim to these criminals and of what a dangerous world we live in.”

Family members and friends of the victims of 9/11 were seated up front during the ceremony.  Although a few of them shed tears, it was obvious that they did not shoulder the burden of grief alone.

Nancy Shea, who was the wife of Joseph Shea, spoke on behalf of the victims families. She said the Pelham community has been vital in helping the victims’ families recover.

“As the victims’ families coped with the shock grief and anguish. the Pelham community got busy organizing a support system that would rival or better most international relief agencies,” Shea said. “When thousands of Pelham residents stood shoulder to shoulder on Ingalls Field  that first week, they sent a clear message —we are not alone.”

Jack Hord lost his father, Montgomery Hord, during 9/11. He  found comfort in the outpouring of community support.  

“I though the ceremony was great, but it’s still sad,” Hord said as we was comforted by family members and friends.

State Sen. Jeff Klein, D-Bronx, was in attendance along with U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, D-Harrison; state Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, D-Scarsdale; Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino; and Westchester County Legislator Jim Maisano, R-New Rochelle.

Klein called the ceremony ‘beautiful.’

“We have to remember those who perished during 9/11,”  Klein said.  “We have to keep their memory alive. It not only makes us stronger as Americans, but stronger as a community. I think one of the things that we learn from today is that it’s been 10 years and it’s still very difficult and impossible to forget those who were lost.”

Solimine presented a flag to Robert Eicher, president of the Pelham school board, during the ceremony. It was the flag used to cover the the large marble centerpiece of the town 9/11 memorial during its dedication.

“I give this flag to you, a representative of the school district, and ask you to have the flag placed in a conspicuous spot, so that it will be a daily reminder to not only remember the victims, but also to remind us to never let our guard down,” Solimine said to Eicher.

Eicher said the flag would be placed in Pelham Memorial High School’s Alumni Hall after it has been renovated.

“I couldn’t think of  a more fitting place for a flag that represents our alumni as well as the parents of our alumni who died on that day,” Eicher said.