9/11 first responders honored at Sherwood Island ceremony

By Bonnie Adler


With the sound of bagpipes heralding the call to order, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and other officials from Connecticut and New York City gathered at Sherwood Island State Park Wednesday to remember those who perished in the 9/11 attacks and to pay tribute to those Connecticut first responders who risked their lives to help in the immediate aftermath of the attacks.

Firefighters, policemen and emergency personnel from around the state came to participate in an hour-long tribute, in which the efforts made by first responders around the state were highlighted and commemorated.

Malloy recalled the 156 Connecticut residents who perished in the attacks, and the 343 NYC firefighters (37 Port Authority Police officers, 23 NYPD officers and three court officers) who died in the towers that day, and highlighted the commitment of the first responders and volunteers who went to New York City to do what they could to help their fellow first responders with no regard for their own safety. He recalled the spirit which drove so many Connecticut first responders to help and said, “These are individuals who were not paid to go, not required to do so, but in every case volunteered to respond from our state to help others.”

He added, “We mark that response, that desire to go and be part of that recovery which is so great and so uniquely American.”

David Fein, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, extended his deepest gratitude to Connecticut’s first responders on the day of the event and the days, weeks and months that followed.

“You did not hesitate to act in the face of horrific devestation, you did what comes naturally to you. You leapt into action, not deterred by danger. You overcame obstacles and moved toward, not away from, the devastation with only one purpose in mind- to help others,” he said.

Noting the beautiful new metal sculpture on a nearby wall commemorating those who died in the attacks, Fein added, “We are here at Connecticut’s 9/11 Living Memorial to say thank you for what you did 10 years ago and what you continue to do today.”

Perhaps most poignant was Bonnie McEneaney, the wife of Eamon McEneaney, who worked at Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th Floor of the North Tower, and perished that day. Bonnie McEneaney represents Voices of 911, which collects and shares information about all of those who died that day. She has since written a book called “Messages,” a compilation of true stories of the spiritual experiences and premonitions of loved ones lost in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

She asked, “Who is a first responder? You are ‘first preventers’ as well as first responders. You are the heartbeat of this great nation.”

She said many first responders had been exposed to toxic dust, and many had developed debilitating diseases as a result. “Indeed, she said, “One thousand of you have died. You put the needs of others before your own. Thank you for altruism unsurpassed.” Continued

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