Wants earlier Fort ceremony
As of Tuesday, it appeared there would still be two 9/11 memorial services in the community at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
However, Mayor Joe D’Onofrio has officially asked Vision to change the time of its ceremony, while offering up all future 9/11 evening ceremonies to that community group.
In a letter sent to Vision this week, he wrote:
“It is my understanding that we have scheduled ceremonies at the same time on September 11. I also understand that while you have had past ceremonies at the beautiful Patriot Garden, this year Highland Falls is rededicating their September 11 memorial.
The memorial suffered some damage to its concrete base and it needed to be removed. I understand we are a very patriotic community and we pride ourselves on our patriotism.
I guess what I am asking is: is there a possibility for this year only if there is anyway the ceremony at the Patriot Garden can be moved to 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. Our ceremony will be concluded within 45 minutes.
Going forward this will not happen again and in the future the September 11 ceremony can be at the Patriot Garden. The village will host a ceremony on a different day before the 11th. Thank you for your consideration.”
The village’s piece of steel was replaced at Memorial Park on Monday of this week.
D’Onofrio said he expects the West Point’s brass quintent and a bugler, O’Neill High School JROTC, St. Mark’s Choir and local clergy to participate in the village ceremony.
The News was unable to contact Vision’s Doris Lent for comment as of Tuesday.
