Bad weather on Friday, September, 11 did not keep political leaders, first responders, scouts and other residents from gathering in Mamaroneck Town’s Memorial Park to pay tribute to those lost eight years ago. The rain did send the crowd “underground” to shelter in the park’s tunnel, but did not repress the exuberance of a troop of second grade Girl Scouts who helped give out American flags.
Even after 8 years, it was a very emotional ceremony.
New York State Assemblyman George Latimer spoke of holding his teenage daughter and crying with her the night of the attacks, unable to answer her question of “Why?” He spoke of people who thought it was just another day as they got on the train having no idea they wouldn’t ever come back and those who ran an extra errand, took the next train and in doing so were spared. He asked everyone to do three things:
- Tell those people who are important to you that you love them.
- Remember those who died on 9/11 and their families in your prayers.
- Thank an emergency service provide for the work they do and the risks they take to keep us all safe.
Remembering 9/11/2001 The twelve local residents were among those mourned this week in national and local tributes were 12 from the Larchmont/Mamaroneck area. Their names were read aloud as part of the local ceremony. Helen Belilovsky John Howard Boulton Douglas G. Karpiloff Frank J. Koestner Maurice Patrick Kelly Helen Crossin-Kittle Patricia Helen Kittle Edward H. Luckett II John Thomas McErlean Jr. Christopher Orgielewicz John Reo John F. Swaine |
Mamaroneck Village Mayor Kathy Savolt shared her memories of a colleague and friend lost in the Twin Towers. Larchmont Village Mayor Liz Feld spoke of how our community pulled together after the tragedy.

Local Brownies helped distribute American flags to the local September 11 gathering. Photo from Tracy Williamson.
Mary Louise Cox, poet laureate of the Village of Mamaroneck read a moving poem entitled “We Remember Them” by Marcia Miller.
Anthony Marsella, a World War II veteran, led everyone in both the Star Spangled Banner and Taps.
Six wreaths were presented from various organizations. The Girl Scouts of Larchmont Mamaroneck brought a wreath of daisies created by local Girl Scouts under the direction of Liz Alfieri from Larchmont Floral Designs.

Brownies and scouts worked together to create a 9/11 daisy wreath at Larchmont Floral Design Center. Photo from Catherine Bennett.