45°
WESTPORT, Conn. Greenwich resident Sophie Pelletier-Martinelli lost her husband, and her then-2-year-old daughter and newborn son lost their father in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Mike Pelletier was a commodities broker at Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center in Manhattan. He was 36. On Thursday evening, Pelletier-Martinelli, 12-year-old Sydney and 10-year-old Nicolas placed white roses by their father's memorial stone at the 9/11 Living Memorial at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport.
"We come every year," Pelletier-Martinelli said of the state's memorial service. "It's really a beautiful service, and it's a good one to bring the kids to. It's peaceful."
They were among hundreds of family members and friends of the 152 people with ties to the state who lost their lives that day. But with the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11 approaching, the service also attracted a people who didn't personally know those who died.
Easton resident Susan Rozelle and her 14-year old son Blake were among those who didn't have a personal connection to the people whose names appear on the memorial. Instead, Rozelle said she felt it was important to pay tribute to everyone who died and to show support to the families.
"With Sept. 11 and any major tragedy, it's important to remember those who died and to recognize their lives," said Rozelle, a first-time visitor to the Sherwood Island memorial. "These people should be remembered every day, but especially on that day."
She also thought it was an important learning experience for her son, who was 4 at the time of the attacks. "There needs to be something done each and every year going forward that will remind people of those who died, especially for future generations, so they can be as aware as all of us who lived through Sept. 11."
During the service, which was led by Gov. Dannel Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, the names of all of the state's victims were read aloud by four family members. Kathryn Hanson Barrere lost her brother Peter Hanson, sister-in-law Sue Kim Hanson and niece Christine Hanson during the attacks; Jack Goldberg lost his uncle Joel Miller; Troy Kirwin lost his father Glenn Kirwin; and Patricia Manfield lost her brother Timothy Hargrave.
As he addressed the victims' family members and friends, Malloy offered whatever condolences he could, saying all residents in the state "love you, support you, honor you."
He also remind those in attendance that although they were there to remember "the lives of those individuals who were lost that day and the sacrifices of those who responded on that day," he said they were also there honor those who were left behind.
"I know you don't measure your pain in terms of years, but rather weeks, days, moments and occasions," Malloy said. "This event will never be wiped away from any of our memories or that of succeeding generations. I hope the passing of this day will make your burden just a little easier."
How do you pay tribute to those who died Sept. 11? Please share with us below.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.
