Orange County to host 20th anniversary September 11th Patriot Day remembrance ceremony

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus invites the community to attend the September 11th Patriot Day ceremony, which will be held at the Orange County Arboretum at Thomas Bull Memorial Park on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m.

“The terrorist attacks on 9/11 left an indelible mark on our community and this beautiful ceremony helps us all to remember and honor the Orange County residents we lost that day,” Neuhaus said. “Two decades have passed since September 11th, 2001, but we all remember that terrible day, and the pain and loss we felt. During the ceremony, we will honor the bravery and sacrifice of our first responders and reflect on those we lost. They will always hold a special place in our memories and our hearts.”

As part of the program, Neuhaus and William Bratton Jr. will read short biographies with information about the 44 Orange County residents who lost their lives during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Bratton and his wife Mary lost their 23-year-old daughter, Michelle Renee Bratton, on September 11th, 2001. Michelle Bratton, a Pine Bush High School graduate, was working as an executive assistant in the eSpeed Division of Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of Tower One on 9/11.

Families and survivors of 9/11, families of local military personnel, and veterans are invited to participate in the remembrance ceremony and join the procession by assembling at the Arboretum’s Ottaway Education Center at 5:30 p.m. The procession will begin at 5:55 p.m. followed promptly by the ceremony.