WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. White Plains will honor its residents lost in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with a commemorative ceremony at 8 a.m. Tuesday in Liberty Park on Lake Street, according to a city press release.
Liberty Park is the site of a permanent memorial for the six White Plains residents who were killed in the attacks: Sharon Balkon, Marisa DiNardo, Hemanth Kumar Puttur, Joe Riverso, Gregory Rodriquez and Linda Sheehan.
The ceremony will include a flag raising, wreath laying and spoken words.
Additionally, a ceremony will be held at noon at Renaissance Plaza to honor those who chose to serve in response to the attacks. A musical performance, a moment of silence and readings will follow.
In the same spirit of service, The Volunteer Center of United Way is holding events countywide for its annual 9/11 Week of Service and Remembrance.
Volunteer activities throughout the county are planned between Sept. 9 and Sept 15, including drives for blood, books and food; art projects; trail and park cleanups; and veteran and military outreach.
The projects in the 9/11 Week of Service and Remembrance include:
- Sunday, Sept. 9: Clay Art Center of Port Chester will host volunteers from 1 to 4 p.m. to create a 9/11-themed mosaic that will be permanently installed at the center.
- Tuesday, Sept. 11: A food drive on behalf of HOPE Community Services and a card-making project for deployed members of the military will be held from 2 to 7 p.m., both at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla. Also that day, from 4 to 6 p.m., a remembrance quilt will be created at the White Plains YMCA.
- Wednesday, Sept. 12: A blood drive sponsored by county employees and Hudson Valley Blood Services will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. A project to maintain the Cranberry Lake Preserve in Valhalla will take place from 2 to 4 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 15: From 2 to 4:30 p.m. the White Plains Public Library will show "New York Says Thank You," a movie first shown at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival documenting New Yorkers views of the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. A panel discussion will follow.
Volunteer for one or more projects online.
Did you know any of the six residents who died on 9/11? Are there any favorite memories, stories, or photos you'd like to share? Please leave thoughts in the comment section below or email them to local reporter Brian Donnelly.
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