In a solemn ceremony Thursday night, Westchester County paid tribute to those who died in the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, including 111 Westchester residents and 12 former residents. County Executive Robert P. Astorino presided over the 13th anniversary ceremony that took place at The Rising, the county's 9/11 memorial at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla.

"Each year, we read the names of the brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and neighbors that our county lost on 9/11," Astorino said. "We start with William F. Abrahamson and end with Joseph J. Zuccula. Some were the people closest to us in the whole world. Others were people we never met. When we are done, the 123 names become our prayer of mourning, thanksgiving and hope."

"They say time heals, and it does," Astorino continued. "But it can never completely fill the emptiness left behind when good lives are cut short. There is no replacement for what can never be. For balls never thrown or caught. Graduations unattended. Weddings missed. An empty seat forever at the dinner table. Our prayer of the names is our way of saying we miss you, and we will always miss you. It is also our way of honoring you. Good lives cannot be forgotten – especially when they are taken so tragically, so wantonly, so needlessly. In your memory, we build a legacy to the best inside of all of us."

More than 500 family members and residents attended the Twilight Ceremony.

The ceremony was part of various remembrance activities throughout Westchester organized around the theme of using volunteerism as a way to honor those who died. Many of these events took place earlier in the day at the County Center. 

For an album of photos from the ceremony and day of service, please visit www.facebook.com/westchestergov. 

Program for the Twilight Ceremony

• Welcome: Ned McCormack, Director of Communications/Senior Advisor to the County Executive.
• Presentation of Colors: Westchester County Department of Public Safety Ceremonial Unit, The Pipes and Drums of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester, Yorktown Heights Boy Scout Troop 164 and Eastchester/Tuckahoe Girl Scout Troop 2512.
• Pledge of Allegiance: Congresswoman Nita Lowey.
• Laying of the Wreath: 9/11 family member Rosaleen O'Neill; Yorktown Heights Boy Scout Troop 164 members Paul R. Martin IV, Robert Kramer and Emerson Wenzel; and Eastchester/Tuckahoe Girl Scout Troop members Sofia Read and Giovanna Ruvolo.
• National Anthem: The Ursuline School Honors Choir led by Dr. Jean Boehler.
• Remarks: County Executive Robert P. Astorino and County Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz.
• Pié Jesu: The Ursuline School Honors Choir.
• Reading of Names: 9/11 family members and elected officials.
• Benediction: Bishop C. Nathan Edwers, president, United Black Clergy and pastor, Friendship Free Will Baptist Church in Mount Vernon.
• Amazing Grace: The Ursuline School Honors Choir with soloist Elizabeth Vuksanaj.
• Viewing of The Rising and Circle of Remembrance.

Remarks by County Executive Robert P. Astorino 

Philosopher, poet and novelist George Santayana wrote famously, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

On this the 13th anniversary of 9/11, these words have never been wiser or truer. But they are best viewed not as an admonition – a scold to look back ... or else. They are a path forward. By choosing to remember, we learn to build a better future.

As always our future is uncertain; filled with great challenges.

Sadly, the world remains a frightening place.

Ukraine, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Gaza, Afghanistan, ISIS.

Terror's list never seems to shrink.

And yet there is reason for optimism.

Your presence today is evidence of that optimism.

It's heartwarming to see so many of you.

Welcome to those of you here for the first time.

A special thanks to those of you who return year after year.

There is no right way to mark the anniversary of 9/11.

Understandably, some choose to mourn and remember in private.

But when events touch so many so deeply, it is also important to create opportunities to come together as a community and that's why we are here.

It is an honor and privilege to speak to you on this solemn day.

In our instant messaging culture, 13 years can seem like a lifetime and then some.

But standing before you at The Rising doesn't get old. Our gathering each year is a fresh start. A look back and renewal of our bonds as a community. A reunion of family and friends.

Familiarity is part of what makes this event special.

Each year, we read the names of the brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and neighbors that our county lost on 9/11.

We start with William F. Abrahamson and end with Joseph J. Zuccula. Some were the people closest to us in the whole world. Others were people we never met.

When we are done, the 123 names become our prayer of mourning, thanksgiving and hope.

They say time heals, and it does. But it can never completely fill the emptiness left behind when good lives are cut short. There is no replacement for what can never be. For balls never thrown or caught. Graduations unattended. Weddings missed. An empty seat forever at the dinner table.

Our prayer of the names is our way of saying we miss you, and we will always miss you.

It is also our way of honoring you. Good lives cannot be forgotten – especially when they are taken so tragically, so wantonly, so needlessly. In your memory, we build a legacy to the best inside of all of us.

One of the lasting lessons of 9/11 is that we are never truly alone. As far down as we sink, there are always others willing to lend a hand up.

Even in the darkest of days, there will be a bright light shining through. We witnessed this countless times on 9/11 – through deeds recorded and unrecorded – examples of men and women, who struggled in the dust, risked their safety and gave of themselves, sometimes even their lives, selflessly trying to help others.

The idea that love can overcome hate ... good can triumph over evil ... was on full display on September 11, 2001.

Thirteen years later, we are extending these heroic sacrifices into voluntary acts of kindness. That's the idea behind our 911 Day of Service.

Grandiose efforts are not required... only a commitment to serve others in some small way.

Check in on an elderly neighbor...

Give blood...

Donate to the food or diaper bank ....

Clean up a park or river ...

Tutor a child, coach a team, become scout leader.

Emerson defined success as leaving the world a little bit better and knowing that even one life has breathed easier ... because of you.

As Americans, we are a fortunate people. We are blessed by either birth or desire to live in place founded on the principles that all men and women are created equal with inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is these principles that move us forward.

With our compass set, there is no better place to start on the path to a better future than with a small act of kindness.

That is the hope we leave here with each year. That through our actions, the world breathes a little easier.

May the hearts of all those who suffered losses on 911 continue to heal.

May the hearts of all us find ways – no matter how small – to help each other.

And from the ashes of our sadness ... the steel of our ideals ... and the power of simple deeds, may we continue to preserve all that is good around us and show the world that to be an American is to be a friend and neighbor.

Thank you.

And may God continue to bless these United States of America.

For additional photos from the ceremony and day of service, please visit www.facebook.com/westchestergov.