A number of events take place this week across Greater Rochester remembering the toll taken by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the sacrifices and resilience shown by emergency workers and Americans in the wake of that terrible day.
On Dec. 18, 2001, Congress passed a joint resolution designating that Sept. 11 will be forever known as Patriot Day.
Here are some of the local events, with a handy map of events both before and during Sept. 11.
Sept. 6: 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs
The Rochester NY NFFF 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs will be held Sunday, Sept. 6, at ESL Ballpark, where each participant will climb the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center in honor of the 343 New York City firefighters who died there. People also can participate virtually.
The event
is open to the public.
On Sept. 6, onsite registration starts at 7:15 a.m. The opening ceremony is at 8:35 a.m., and the climb starts at 9:11 a.m. and ends at 10:30 a.m.
From 8 to 11 a.m., a traveling 9/11 exhibit will be open. It includes beams from the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers and tells how Americans came together in the aftermath of the attacks
Besides groups of business workers and other people, stair-climbing teams include firefighters from Gates, West Webster, Caledonia, Fairport, Spencerport, Honeoye Falls, Brockport, Brighton and Spencerport; fire department ladies auxiliaries from Spencerport and West Webster; and Gates police officers.
To donate to an individual or to a team, go to https://nfff.akaraisin.com/ui/rochester26/pledge/sponsor/start.
Proceeds will fund National Fallen Firefighter Fund programs that support families of local fallen firefighters and the Fire Department of New York’s Counseling Service Unit.
The ballpark is at 1 Morrie Silver Way.
For more information, go to https://nfff.akaraisin.com/ui/rochester26.
Sept. 10: War on Terror Memorial vigil
The second annual Vigil of Remembrance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Monroe County War on Terror Memorial, 1440 South Ave.
“As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, this vigil serves as a powerful reminder that freedom comes at a cost,” according to a post on the Monroe County War on Terror Memorial’s Facebook page.
People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
The memorial “honors service members from Monroe County and beyond who gave their lives in military conflicts since 1983,” according to its website, https://wotmemorial.com/.
Sept. 11: MCC Remembrance Ceremony
Monroe Community College’s annual September 11 Remembrance Ceremony will be held from 8 to 9 a.m. Sept. 11 at the Remembrance Monument outside Building 10 of the campus at 1000 East Henrietta Road. In case of rain, it will be moved to the gym.
This year’s keynote speaker is Paul Dondorfer, a 1998, a graduate of MCC’s Fire Protection Technology program. “He will share his experiences as a first responder during the events of September 11, 2001, and reflect on the lasting impact of that day,” according to MCC’s Student Government Association.Dondorfer, of Penfield, joined the Rochester Police Department in 2004 and now serves as the Locust Club’s executive vice president. He has served in the Monroe County Legislature since 2020.
Sept. 11: A Day for Reflection & Remembrance in Brockport
The Brockport Fire District's annual Day of Reflection & Remembrance will begin with a ceremony at 8:30 a.m. at the Firefighter's Memorial Monument, 237 S. Main St. It will be followed by the ringing of the Memorial Bell at the time the first hijacked plane hit the World Trade Center in New York City. Then an honor guard will take its place surrounding the memorial until the closing ceremony. A Ring of Gold will begin at 6 p.m. and the closing ceremony at 6:30 p.m. The honor guard consists of local first responders – police, firefighters and emergency medical service technicians – from the tri-county region surrounding Brockport plus military members and members of the community who stop by and wish to stand guard.
Sept. 11: East Rochester Fire Department 9/11 event
The East Rochester Fire Department will honor those lost in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 11 at 415 Main St. The event is open to the public; people should park in the Eyer Building lot.
Sept. 11: RIT vigil
Rochester Institute of Technology will hold its annual vigil and flag display at the Sentinel in front of the Student Alumni Union from 8:30 a.m. to 10:03 a.m. Sept. 11.
The public may attend; parking will be available in Lot D. The Henrietta Fire Department is expected to attend, raising a giant flag on firetrucks, and the mounted patrol from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office also is expected.
To honor each victim lost Sept. 11, 2001, 2,977 miniature U.S. flags will be planted in the grass.
Taps will be played in front of the flag array at 8:46 a.m., 9:03 a.m., 9:37 a.m. and 10:03 a.m. as a tribute to those who died during the four terrorist attacks. The times were, in order, when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City; when United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower; when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia; and when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers fought the hijackers. The latter’s intended target had been Washington, D.C.
The vigil is hosted by the Arnold Air Society, whose members are cadets from regional officer candidate training and university ROTC programs.
Sept. 11: Irondequoit Police Remembrance Ceremony
The annual September 11th Remembrance Ceremony, hosted by the Irondequoit Police Department, will begin at 8:46 a.m. at Irondequoit Town Hall, 1280 Titus Ave.
Sept. 11: Eastman School of Music Horn Choir Remembrance Concert
The Horn Choir's 9/11 25th Anniversary Remembrance Concert will begin at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 11 at Kilbourn Hall, 22 Gibbs St. Besides Eastman students and faculty, the performance will include members of the U.S. Army Field Band.Tickets are not required for this program, which is part of the Eastman Explores America series.It will be livestreamed at https://www.esm.rochester.edu/live/kilbourn/, starting 15 minutes before the concert.
Sept. 11: Webster Memorial Ceremony
The September 11th Memorial Ceremony sponsored by the Webster Village Board will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 28 North Ave. The Webster Village Band and a student from Webster Schroeder High School will perform.
Sept. 11: Canandaigua Remembrance Ceremony
American Legion Canandaigua Post 256 will hold a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony from 6 to 7 p.m. at 454 N Main St., Canandaigua. A reception will follow the ceremony.
Sept. 11: Chili Fire Department event at 9/11 memorial
The Chili Fire Department will hold its annual ceremony starting at 6 p.m. at its 9/11 memorial at 3231 Chili Ave. The memorial features a one-ton, 18-inch-long beam that is believed to have been located somewhere above the 60th floor of the World Trade Center's North Tower, according to the department's website. The public may visit the memorial at any time.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: 11 events to honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11 in Rochester
