Remembering September 11

Dean G. Skelos

September 9, 2011

Dear Fellow New Yorker:

It’s hard to believe that 10 years have passed since the September 11th terrorist attacks. Like you, I remember where I was on that crisp and clear morning, how we frantically called our friends and family who worked in Lower Manhattan, and how we all watched in horror as the towers fell.

More than 3,000 people died on September 11th, many of whom lived within my Senate district and in the districts of my neighboring Senate colleagues. I attended two to three funerals a day in the weeks following those horrific attacks, and I will never forget the strength and courage of the families of those who perished.

But, something else happened as a result of 9/11 - - New Yorkers cast aside their differences and stood as one, united in grief, hope and compassion.

I’m often asked how we can best honor the memory of those who died on 9/11, including the firefighters, police officers and EMTs who rushed into the burning World Trade Center in a desperate attempt to save others. My answer - - by taking time to give back to your own community through volunteering or donating blood, or attending one of the many September 11th related events in your town.

Doing so will commemorate the lives of those who died and show others that we remain the strongest and proudest nation in the world.

To assist you and your family in honoring the victims of September 11 th, as well as the brave men and women in our military who fight to defend our nation’s freedoms, I have provided information below about the special “New York Remembers” exhibitions taking place throughout New York State. I hope that you are able to participate in one of these important events.

Thank you, and God Bless America today, tomorrow and always.

Sincerely,

Dean Skelos
Senate Majority Leader

Thirty “New York Remembers” 9/11 Exhibitions Across the State

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, the New York State Museum, and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum recently announced the locations for thirty "New York Remembers" exhibitions that are being organized as part of a statewide recognition of the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The exhibitions will give New Yorkers a place to remember the victims of September 11th and honor the countless heroes who came from all corners of the state to help in the clean-up and recovery efforts. The exhibitions will feature historical artifacts from the collections of the State Museum and National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

Each location will open until the end of September. All will be open on Sunday, September 11th.

Many of the artifacts being exhibited have never been seen by the public, including: the trailer used by families visiting Ground Zero that includes photographs and messages; damaged emergency vehicles and other vehicle parts; aluminum and glass from the buildings; religious "symbol steel" created by the workers at the site; and airplane fragments including landing gear and engine parts. The stories behind all the artifacts will be told as part of the exhibitions.

The following is a list of exhibition locations: