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SARATOGA SPRINGS – All citizens are invited to attend an annual ceremony to honor and remember the heroes and those who were lost in the 9/11 attacks on our nation, on the event’s fourteenth anniversary – Friday, September 11, 2015. This event will begin at 8:35 a.m. at the “Tempered by Memory” sculpture in High Rock Park. 

The ceremony will begin with a presentation of color guard from the Saratoga Springs Police Department. The Saratoga Springs High School Choraliers will perform several songs throughout the ceremony. At exactly 8:46 a.m., hand bells will be rung followed by a moment of silence, to coincide with the time the of the first impact upon New York City’s World Trade Center by a hijacked airplane.

Following welcoming remarks by Former NYS Assemblyman Bobby D’Andrea, the Choraliers will sing our National Anthem. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Former Saratoga Springs Mayor Ken Klotz. 

An invocation will be delivered by Reverend Adam Weigand of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, after which Saratoga Springs Mayor Joanne Yepsen will deliver remarks and introduce the keynote speaker. 

The keynote speech will be delivered this year by John Betor, retired Saratoga Springs Assistant Fire Chief. Betor said he was “…humbled and honored to be chosen to speak” on this occasion. This will be followed by wreath presentations led by Saratoga Springs Police Chief Greg Veitch and Fire Chief Robert Williams, along with members of their respective department. 

The Choraliers will then lead attendees in the singing of “God Bless America, followed by a Benediction delivered by Reverend Carole Miller, the Saratoga Springs Fire Department Chaplain. The ceremony will conclude with Ernie Belanger of Wilton playing Taps. 

The City of Saratoga Springs is responsible for coordinating this annual remembrance and acknowledges the assistance provided by public and private organizations drawn from the community, including:  

Advantage Press, Inc.

Allerdice Rental

Ernie Belanger

Former Assemblyman Bobby D’Andrea 

Reverend Carole Miller

Mouzon House

Saratoga Guitar

Saratoga Springs Fire Department 

Saratoga Springs High School Choraliers 

Saratoga Springs Police Force Color Guard 

Saratoga Springs United Methodist Chancel Ringers 

U.S. Navy at KAPL

Reverend Adam Weigand

City To Commemorate 9/11’s Anniversary

By Arthur Gonick
Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Mayor Joanne Yepsen and the Mayor’s 9/11 Memorial Committee is inviting the public to join them for a City Wide Ceremony and Remembrance on the anniversary of the Tragedy which befell our nation.

This ceremony will begin at 8:15 a.m. on Thursday, September 11 at the Tempered by Memory sculpture in High Rock Park. The ceremony is expected to last approximately one hour. A schedule and event program appears on Page 9.

“While 13 years have passed, few who were alive in the United States on 9/11/2001 will ever forget where they were or what they were doing.” Mayor Yepsen said. “It is best that we not forget, both personally and for the sake of our country as we share those thoughts and feelings with those who were just children. Please join me and other citizens of Saratoga Springs as we remember the lives of the men, women and children who were killed. And may we “Never Forget” or allow those around us to forget.”

A significant event on the program will occur on 8:46 a.m. when churches and other structures city wide are requested to ring their bells for one minute – to coincide with the timing of the first airplane impact on the North Tower of NYC’s World Trade Center thirteen years ago.

Schedule of Events:
Saratoga Springs 9/11 Ceremony and Remembrance
High Rock Park

8:15 - 8:40 a.m. Bag Piper – Peter Lounsberry

8:40 a.m.  Color guard- Div. of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA) under the direction of New York State's Adjutant General, Major General Patrick Murphy.

8:46 a.m.  Ringing of Bells City Wide

8:47 a.m.  Welcome – Dottie Pepper
   
National Anthem –  Choraliers- Saratoga Springs High School
   
Pledge – Ken Klotz
   
Invocation – Rev. Coqui Conkey
   
Mayor Joanne Yepsen Remarks and Introduction
   
Matt Tully – Keynote Speech
   
Wreath Presentation 
   
God Bless America –    Choraliers – Saratoga Springs High School
   
Benediction – Rabbi Jonathan Rubenstein

Approximately 9:15-9:30 a.m. Taps – Erne Bellinger of Wilton