by Christopher Martin
Anyone who has traveled down Main Street through Brockport has surely seen the lasting memorial the community created for those lost on September 11, 2001, and those lost in the weeks, months, and years following due to illness resulting from the attacks.
Those who happened by or came to visit on September 11, 2021, witnessed the memorial site come alive. As the sun rose over the rooftops to the east, community volunteers were busily setting up for the day – preparing sound systems, interviewing with news stations transmitting live from the site, and a general bustle readying this “hallowed ground” as it has been referred to, for the events of the day.
The opening ceremony commenced at 8:30 a.m. with a call to order and welcoming remarks by BFD Past Chief Timothy Rombaut, leading the community with its first responders in the Pledge of Allegiance. This was followed by ROTC candidates from SUNY Brockport ceremoniously removing the old U.S. flag from the tall pole while “Taps” played on a trumpet. Once the new flag was in place, it wasn’t long before the bell was tolled using an NYFD signal at 8:47 a.m., in remembrance of the plane striking the first tower and the lives lost.
Once the ceremony concluded, the uniformed Honor Guard took their places on the monument walkway where they stood until the day was done, being relieved by fresh personnel on schedule to ensure their presence for the duration.
As noon approached, a dull roar could be heard coming up Main Street from the north when the Operation Patriot riders came into Brockport on their annual 9/11 tribute ride. They stopped at the monument to pay their respects, hear a prayer from a local minister, and be sent on their way with well wishes for safe travels from the community. Motorcycles filled the parking lot at Northside Service, at the railroad tracks on Park Avenue, down Park Avenue to the five corners, and down Main Street almost to College Street. Traffic was halted to allow for the procession, and people stood in utter amazement at the number of bikes in attendance.
There was a constant flow of passersby from before the sun came up until the closing ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Chaplain James Woodward, formerly of the Rochester Police Department, shared his reflections and a brief opening prayer with the crowd. Then Fire Chief Michael Menear took the microphone and delivered inspiring remarks about what 9/11 meant to him. He spoke of how it has affected all first responders and the effect it has had on how they do business with each other over the last twenty years. Firefighter James Sutton played “Taps” on his trumpet as he has done every year on 9/11. The Chaplain offered a closing prayer, and the Piper from Gates Police Pipes and Drums played “Amazing Grace” before leading first responders from the site as the sun set in the west.
Photos by Christopher Martin
