Event planned at Arboretum's Remembrance Walkway & Gardens

ORANGE COUNTY-A tribute to the 44 Orange County heroes lost on September 11, 2001 will be held at the Remembrance Walkway and Gardens of the Orange County Arboretum, Sept. 11, at 3:30 P.M. Survivors and friends of the local heroes have been invited with the general public to remember the sacrifices made. The Allegro Chamber Orchestra will perform a medley of patriotic music to open the program. The renowned high school age musicians are directed by Viktoras Prizgintas. The guest speaker will be Lt. Colonel Neal S. Skow of Warwick, and the 854 Engineering Battalion, Bullville, N. Y. Colonel Skow served 11 months in Iraq and is a member of the Fire Department of N.Y. The Bullville Reserve unit lost City Fireman Frederick J. Hill on September 11 and recently dedicated a section of the base in his honor. Clergymen elected officials, local New York City, volunteer fire companies and police departments have accepted invitations to participate in the services. County Executive Edward A. Diana will welcome the assembled guests. Mark Gargiulo, Sister Peggy Murphy and Laure Mantia will be the featured soloists. The Ancient Order of Hibernian's Pipes and Drums will lead a procession of the surviving families from the Ruth and Jim Ottaway Education Center to the Memorial globe, which was donated by Taylor Recycling Facility, LLC. Honor guards from the New York State Police, Orange County Sheriff's Department and West Point Military Academy will accompany the surviving families. Local volunteer fire companies and police departments will send representatives with their color guards to mark the Remembrance Walkway. Aerial trucks from Cronomer Valley and Woodbury Fire Companies will hoist a large Garrison sized American flag to backdrop the Memorial gardens. Mark Williamson, son of fallen Battalion Chief John P. Williamson, FDNY, and William J. Bratton, Jr., father of Michelle Renee Bratton, will respond on behalf of the survivors. Cody Ryan, Minisink Valley High School band member, will blow taps with an echo from the hill. Roses will be presented to the survivors as a token of remembrance from Alders Wholesale Florist. Light refreshments will be offered after the services at the Ottaway Education Center. The service is sponsored by The Friends of the Orange County Arboretum, the County of Orange and the volunteer fire companies, coordinated by David Hoffman.