Greenwich Renews Commitment To 'Never Forget' At Moving 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich community gathered at Cos Cob Park on Friday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which killed 2,977 people, including 32 with ties to Greenwich. Thousands of others have since died from 9/11-related illnesses.

With more than 100 million Americans in 2026 either too young to remember 9/11 or born after the attacks, Greenwich renewed the promise to never forget those who were lost, and to return to the unity and patriotism that swept across the nation on Sept. 12, 2001.

Friday's remembrance ceremony, which was one of the most well-attended ceremonies since the 9/11 memorial was installed in Cos Cob Park 11 years ago, included cannon salutes, musical performances, prayers, poetry, comments from elected and military officials, and the reading of the names of the 32 Greenwich victims.

At the end of the ceremony, attendees walked up the winding path to lay flowers at the base of the memorial towers located on a bluff overlooking Long Island Sound.

The keynote speakers for this year’s event were former U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT) and Greenwich native and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Mark Turner.

Shays spoke about attending several funeral services for residents who died in the attacks, and family members telling him that "9/11 can't be defined by anger and hate."

"It was a moment in our time when we were one nation," Shays said. "I love this country. I love everything about it. And I saw the best of America at that moment, the very best. And that's what we need to just worship and be so thankful for."

Turner was working at the Pentagon on 9/11 when, at 9:37 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 slammed into the floors near his office. Turner helped triage victims and was later relieved by the Old Guard, whose message stuck with him: "We will take it from here."

"I witnessed firsthand the devastation; the worst mankind had to offer. Yet a short time later, the greatness of this nation began to rise. Out of the ashes, this nation's triumph over evil began," Turner said.

Turner recognized three groups of heroes: those killed in the attacks and the wars that followed, their surviving loved ones, and the military personnel and emergency responders who have served since that day.

In speaking about the victims of the attacks, especially those from Greenwich, Turner said their lives were no longer measured in years, but in purpose.

"I am confident they are looking down today at us, proud that we gathered to honor them," he said.

Turner urged younger generations to preserve the memory of those lost and uphold the nation’s strength and resilience.

"To some of the younger generation here, the torch of freedom will soon be passed to you. The sacred grounds in New York, Arlington and Shanksville remain not just a place of contemplation, but a living testament of America's strength and resilience," Turner added. "When you enter the crucible on your personal journey, you will have all of us with you. Honor those lost with your future successes. You are, and will forever be, a triumph over this tragedy."

Turner reminded all citizens to follow the example of the passengers and crew of United Flight 93 by remaining united and committed to one another.

After learning of the other attacks that unfolded in New York City and Washington, D.C., the passengers aboard Flight 93 jumped into action after their plane was hijacked by terrorists shortly after takeoff from Newark International Airport.

The plane, which was believed to be heading to the U.S. Capitol, crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pa., after a group of passengers stormed the cockpit.

"When the passengers and crew understood the plane had become a weapon of destruction, in their moment of peril, what did they lean on to decide their next action at this critical moment? They fell back on one of the great American traditions that was part of them. They voted together," Turner said.

"They voted and agreed to fight back, willing to sacrifice their lives to save those on the ground, united as Americans. Let us all renew our commitment to each other, united, and have faith in our American ethos. Let us all believe we will 'take it from here.'"

Several other officials spoke, including U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and First Selectman Fred Camillo.

"The terrorists of 9/11 hit the World Trade Center. They hit the Pentagon. But they missed America," Blumenthal said. "We are the greatest nation in the history of the world, and there is so much more that we have in common than in conflict. You being here today demonstrates how much we owe them (the victims), our best selves, how much we owe each other, and the great promise that we have before us."

Camillo said Greenwich residents woke up to a bright, sunny day on 9/11, and went to bed that night "in a very different, dark world."

"As time has gone by, the memory starts to dim a little bit, like with every other piece of history. We have to remember that there are people walking around today who have no recollection of that day," Camillo said. "To them, it's just history. So I believe it's incumbent upon all of us who have a living memory of that day to remember those who perished, and to honor those who ran into buildings or tried to save people."

State Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-36), who is the Republican candidate for governor, was in sixth grade on 9/11. He recalled his experiences that day and in the days that followed, which were filled with patriotism.

"In the years after, that unity faded. In the decades after, our nation and society became more divided. But our hearts and our character, as people, are no different than they were on September 12," Fazio said. "The way things are now is not the way things have to be. Let's remember that, too. Let's not forget that brotherly love is still within us all."

Stephanie Dunn Ashley, the CEO of the American Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter, helped lead Friday's ceremony.

"September 11th did not end 25 years ago; it was just the beginning, and it's still being lived every day. Let us remember all of those who died that day. Let us remember all of those who died in the years that followed, who remain with us, carrying wounds that never fully heal. Let us continue to remember, continue to search," she said during brief opening comments.

"And most importantly, let's continue to show up for one another. May we never forget, and may we always remember."

A second remembrance ceremony in Greenwich was scheduled for Friday, Sept. 11, at the World Trade Center steel monument at the Glenville Firehouse, located at 266 Glenville Road.

The 32 victims with ties to Greenwich are:

Bryan Craig Bennett; Stephen Patrick Cherry; Kevin Francis Cleary; Kevin P. Connors; Brian Cummins; Christine Egan; Michael Egan; Ulf Ramm Ericson; Bennett L. Fisher; Thomas Edward Galvin; Steven Glick; Donald Freeman Greene; Pedro Grehan; James Douglas Halvorson; Erik Hans Isbrandtsen; Joseph Anthony Lenihan; Adam J. Lewis; Peter R. Kellerman; Teddy Maloney; Francis Noel McGuinn; Christopher D. Mello; Cheryl Monyak; Lindsay Stapleton Morehouse; Robert Walter Noonan; Mike A. Pelletier; Michael C. Rothberg; Jason E. Sabbag; Stacey Leigh Sanders; Frederick Varacchi; Gregory Kamal Bruno Wachtler; Martin Phillips "Buff" Wohlforth; Charles Alan Zion.