The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) hosted a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony this morning at Good Shepherd Plaza.
It’s been 25 years since the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the World Trade Center Towers, Pentagon, and the downing of Flight 93 in Shanksville Pennsylvania. This is how it looked that day seen from the Rivercross building.
From World Trade Center by Vicki Feinmel/Linda Heimer
Here’s video of today’s 9/11 Roosevelt Island Remembrance Ceremony
and RIOC President BJ Jones remarks as prepared for the ceremony.
Good morning, and thank you for joining us here today.
It is so good to see so many of our community members here with us, along with RIOC staff, board members, and the brave men and women who serve our community with the Public Safety Department. Please take a moment, if you can, to thank an officer, because this day holds additional meaning to those who took an oath to serve and protect.
This morning, we are gathered here to reflect and hold space in honor of the memories of our neighbors who were taken from us 25 years ago.
15 years ago, I had the honor of volunteering at the 9/11 ceremony for the day the Memorial and Museum opened. Throngs of people were eager to honor loved ones lost in that new space. Countless dignitaries paid their respects. It was transmitted for the world to see, as it still is today. It was a powerful, powerful thing.
But just as powerful are close-knit community remembrance events like this. This neighborhood, like our great city, was profoundly changed, and taking time to honor those lost and those who were heroes on this island is just as powerful.
Community carried our city through those difficult days after the attacks, and it will carry us through today. The kindness, empathy, and compassion we showed one another is something we should strive toward. No act of goodwill toward others is too small to make an impact.
I am honored to recognize three first responders from that day who are serving this community and standing with us here today: our AVP of Public Safety, Chief Kevin Brown; PSD Chief Anthony Amoroso; and Captain Patrick Decanio. These officers give special meaning to the words “public servant.” Their leadership and dedication still shine through as they protect our community and keep Roosevelt Island a safe place to live.
On that day, while reeling from the impacts of the unimaginable, we experienced some of the best of humanity. First responders motivated people to keep going down as they went up, store owners opened their doors to those seeking refuge from the dust, and strangers helped those trying to leave by bringing all kinds of boats along the ports of the west side of Manhattan. These are just a few examples of the incredible acts of New Yorkers in the aftermath of an American tragedy.
This morning, we will speak the names of those we tragically lost in those terrorist attacks. While time helps us heal, we will always feel the tremendous loss and impact on this community. It is also important to remember that many people are still living with the impacts of the attacks through illnesses they obtained by simply breathing. We hold the sick and those who have succumbed to 9/11-related illness in our hearts today as well.
As we mourn, it is also important to share memories with one another and remember the lives lived, the people loved, and the ways everyone affected by this tragic day touched our community. May we carry those memories with us today and always, in this city and on this island.
Thank you.
Roosevelt Islanders who died in the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center are honored at the Roosevelt Island 9/11 Remembrance Tree
and Memorial Plaque at Good Shepherd Plaza.
The Roosevelt Islanders who died on 9/11 are:
- Ed Beyea,
- Anthony J. Fallone,
- Taimour Khan,
- Scott Larsen,
- Kevin J. Smith and the firefighters who were based on Roosevelt Island
- Deputy Chief Ray Downey,
- Deputy Chief Charlie Kasper,
- Battalion Chief John Moran, and
- Battalion Chief John Paolillo.
Former Roosevelt Island Public Safety Chief Jack McManus is one of many who died from 9/11 related cancer.
During a 2021 9/11 remembrance, Roosevelt Island residents honored their neighbors who were killed in the World Trade Center attacks.
Roosevelt Island’s Main Street Wire local newspaper reported on the 9/11 attack at the time.
RIOC staff response was perhaps a little broader than your stories indicate. Remember, RIOC people are essentially New York State employees, and Governor Pataki ordered all available state employees to report downtown to receive assignments as I guess we might say “Second Responders”. Sometime late on the morning of 9/11 I got a call from RIOC President Rob Ryan telling me that his people were headed downtown, leaving operational authority in the hands of the most senior RIOC Executive remaining behind, Treasurer Pat Sicolnofi, and Resident Members of the RIOC Board. In those days, most Board members were politicos serving the governor but there were two resident members, Patrick Stewart and myself. Stewart and I were both former RIRA presidents, which had led to our Board appointments. I joined Sicolnofi and Stewart on the street and one of them wondered what we should be doing. “Simple”, I said. “Let them see us.” So for the rest of the day we did just that. Mostly it was a matter of Sicolnofi visiting Island businesses and reassuring storekeepers and residents of continuity. Pat’s demeanor was very calm. He is a good guy by nature (I assume he’s still alive), an easy sort of man, and he provided just the right tone. Most people had no idea what we were doing, and I don’t know if we really “did” anything at all. And maybe that’s exactly what was needed. People were upset enough at the terrifying events of that day. I’m sure they were glad that they didn’t have to worry about the Deli or the Staish or whatever Nisi was called that year (ask Judy Berdy) being open and available. Pat Sicolnofi became the face of RIOC that day with Pat Stewart and me behind him. And if you never noticed, that means he did it right.