Sept. 11 observance planned for 6 p.m. Friday at Courthouse Square
Photo by Tom Rivers: The courthouse walkway facing Main Street is lined with American flags. This photo was taken this morning when it was foggy outside.
ALBION – Orleans County will observe the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on Friday with a service at 6 p.m. at the courthouse lawn by the 9-11 monument.
The service is being put together by Scott Schmidt, the Orleans County chief coroner, and Justin Niederhofer, the Emergency Management Office deputy director for the county. The public is welcome to attend.
Schmidt, a funeral director with Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, also is a member of the U.S. Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team. He left for New York City on Sept. 11, 2001 to help collect and identify remains, and interview family members searching for loved ones. He was there for 20 days, including a week at Ground Zero.
Schmidt will be the keynote speaker at Friday’s service, which will include opening comments from Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature. The Honor Guard with local veterans will provide a presence. Three local pastors – Susan Thaine, Aleka Schmidt and Susan Boring – will sing together during the service, which is a time of reflection.
Many local firefighters and law enforcement officers also are expected to attend the service. A large American flag also will be displayed while being held high on Main Street by the ladder trucks from the Albion and Medina fire departments.
Niederhofer is expected to share a timeline from the day. On Sept. 11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m., the North Tower was struck in New York City. At 9:03, a plane hit the South Tower. At 9:37, the Pentagon was struck. At 9:59 p.m., the South Tower fell. At 10:07 a.m., Flight 93 crashed in rural Shanksville, Pa. At 10:28 a.m., the North Tower collapsed.
About 3,000 people were killed during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks including 343 firefighters, 60 law enforcement officers, and eight EMTs.
