Dear Mahopac Community,
Today marks the 25th remembrance of September 11, 2001. Although there was tremendous tragedy on that day, there was also tremendous heroism. The hundreds of police, fire, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers that ran to the aid of others left an indelible mark on me. What those first responders did on that day, and what our first responders continue to do, reinforces the unbelievable sacrifice they give of themselves.
Like many others, I remember the day vividly. One of my strongest memories is of the lines of people waiting to donate blood. People from all over New York and the entire Tri-State Area, lined up to give, to help in any way they could. It was a time where everyone put aside their personal views and we became one New York.
There are many stories of heroism from that fateful day. If you have the opportunity, there is one in particular that has always resonated with me, the story of Welles Crowther, the Man in the Red Bandana. If you have some time, please take a minute to learn about him and his story, a local from Nyack who, as the documentary says, "Went Up, So Others Could Come Down."
Our schools will recognize a moment of silence remembering the day and those that gave everything.
We are keeping those that were directly impacted by the events of September 11th in our thoughts today.
May we all take a moment today to remember those we lost, honor those who sacrificed so much, and show a little more kindness to one another.
With gratitude,
Superintendent DiGrandi