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Ground broken on county’s first Sept. 11 memorial

KINDERHOOK — The rain held off just long enough to allow members of Girl Scout Service Unit 126 to break ground on its Sept. 11, 2001 memorial project at Volunteers’ Park in the town of Kinderhook Saturday.

The groundbreaking event was part of Kinderhook’s first community day, which also included the re-dedication of the town’s senior center in honor of Dorothy Ostrowski. (see related story)

The 9/11 memorial is being created by the service unit as part of its “Mission Possible” project. It was designed by Dawna Mraz, project coordinator for the Service Unit 126 Mission Possible 9/11 Memorial Project, and Ann Mueller of Kinderhook Lake.

The design features two towers and three walls arranged in a pentagon shape to sit upon a field of lush, green grass. The elements of the memorial are meant to represent each site of the terrorist attacks: the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the field just outside of Shanksville, Pa., where United Flight 93 crashed as passengers attempted to regain control of the hijacked aircraft.

After the groundbreaking ,ceremony attendees headed over to a pavilion where they painted ceramic tiles which will become part of the memorial. They also feasted on hot dogs, soda and water, all donated by the Hannaford supermarket in Valatie.

Several unexpected guests were on hand to assist the girls with the ceremony. Mraz had been contacted last minute by some who wanted to speak, and she said she couldn’t turn them down.

The first was Capt. Scott Brown, the new commander of New York State Police Troop K in Livingston. Brown was joined at the podium by former New York/New Jersey Port Authority officer Jerry Matthews, who was at the World Trade Center the day of the attacks.

“I’m honored to speak on behalf of the many first responders from Columbia County,” Brown said, and thanked them for their “unselfish efforts.”

Brown became emotional during his comments. “There are many stories we could tell about our experiences on 9/11,” he said, his voice breaking slightly, but added that it was important to “focus not on what was, but what will be.”

He told the crowd that by the evening hours of Sept. 11, 500 New York state troopers had arrived in New York City. These officers assisted in the morgues, were on foot patrol, or served as motorcycle escorts. He added that some stayed as long as seven months, helping with recovery efforts in New York City.

Brown, himself, was a shift commander and he explained that he went to various fire stations and offered his support. He said while recovery at Ground Zero was critical, there were others that needed assistance as well.

Brown took a moment to recognize some local troopers who assisted victims’ families at bereavement centers after the tragedy, accompanying them to Ground Zero. “Your local State Police answered the call,” he said proudly.

Several times, Brown thanked the Girl Scouts for taking on the memorial project. “You girls are doing a great job,” he said.

Matthews was a member of the Port Authority for 23 years. He told the crowd that he had retired from the force by 2001. At the time of the attacks he was working at a City University of New York campus, just one block from the World Trade Center.

“I knew 35 of the 37 Port Authority officers who lost their lives,” Matthews said, saying it was “like losing brothers and sisters.”

“It’s great to see so many young women who will be our future, great to see we’re pushing forward to the future,” he said, “to make sure something like this never happens again. All gave some and continue to give some. Unfortunately, some gave all.”

After the ceremony Matthews could be seen painting a tile that will be permanently affixed to the memorial.

Niverville resident and U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Erich Schmidt was another last minute guest welcomed to speak Saturday. He worked at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11 and also served time in Iraq. He related a story that happened in the days following the tragedy, when he was escorting people in and out of a three story garage. A person approached him, offered money and said thank you.

“It just floored me,” Schmidt recalled, since this person had likely just lost a member of his family.

“We’re not heroes, we’re just normal people doing our jobs,” he said, adding that those who lost their lives on 9/11 are the true heroes.

Schmidt also made a brief comment regarding the ongoing Iraq War. “It doesn’t matter if you’re for or against the war, as long as you support the troops.”

Mraz spoke about the impact of 9/11. She doesn’t believe that people have forgotten; rather, she thinks it’s just too painful for most to talk about it. She asked those in attendance to look back on the difficult days following the tragedy.

“Remember how tightly you held your children,” she said. “Remember how proud you were to be an American. We’re here because we’re a compassionate people and shouldn’t forget.”

Mraz said she feels the park is a perfect place for the memorial, and told parents the intent is not to scare their children. The memorial will provide a safe place where they can talk to their kids when the time is right.

“Trust me, they do have questions,” Mraz said.

Michael Loughlin, Mueller’s father and retired FDNY chief, dedicated a piece of steel from Ground Zero that will be a part of the memorial. “I am honored to represent the FDNY here today, at the ground breaking ceremony of the first 9/11 memorial in Columbia County,” he said. “I’m sure we can remember where we were, and the incredible emotion that we felt.”

Loughlin lost many of his friends and colleagues on that day.

“I loved those guys, and I miss them tremendously,” he said, becoming emotional. “They were good men, with great character and courage.”

Loughlin said this memorial will ensure 9/11 is not forgotten. “The memorial will be a place of peace,” he said. “A place where we can remember, reflect and keep the memories alive in our hearts.”

Debbie Johnson, deputy supervisor for the town of Kinderhook and a former Girl Scout, also spoke briefly. She was filling-in for Supervisor Doug McGivney, who is recovering from heart surgery.

“Without Girl Scouts, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today,” she said, adding that she was “excited and proud” when the Girl Scouts approached the Kinderhook Town Board about the project.

After the ceremony the skies opened up and the downpour began. Luckily, the rest of the day’s events were under tents or indoors. Most attendees immediately made their way across the field to the pavilion where the tile painting was taking place. Staff from the Pottery Place, a ceramics studio located in Stuyvesant Plaza, were on hand to assist guests. The tables quickly filled and some were even painting on the floor.

Tiles can be painted until August 1 at the Pottery Place. The cost is $10 for the first tile and $6 for each additional tile. All proceeds go towards the memorial.

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