Ceremony in Owego draws large crowd, protesters thwarted

On Sept. 11, 2016, a ceremony held at Hickories Park in Owego, N.Y., and at the site of the newly erected memorial to honor those who lost their lives during the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, drew an overwhelming crowd that included veterans, state police, motorcycle clubs, the Patriot Guard Riders, and guests from all over the region.

The ceremony was also held to honor and remember Derek James Statkevicus, a Town of Owego resident who was in the World Trade Center’s South Tower when the attacks occurred and on the 86th floor. A bench, which now rests at the memorial, was dedicated in his memory during the ceremony.

His parents, Joseph and Nancy Statkevicus, were present on Sunday and were called upon to unveil the bench.

Joseph Statkevicus addressed guests, and talked of how his son, Derek, had a dream of going to New York City upon his graduation from Ithaca College. He also stated that Derek was a member of the Vestal band, and would have loved listening to the Owego-Apalachin school band.

“I’m sure he’s watching us now,” said Joseph Statkevicus.

Also honored and remembered was the former Tioga County Fire Coordinator, John Scott; who lost his life earlier this year in a tragic accident. His family was present to receive flowers.

The ceremony also featured a large color guard that united veterans from several organizations, the VFW Post 1371 Honor Guard, the singing of the National Anthem by Andrea McBride, the Owego Apalachin marching band, a rifle salute and taps, and the fireman’s bell – which tolled at the exact time that each plane struck on Sept. 11, 2001.

The Town of Owego Memorial includes two pieces of the PATH train rail from the subway that was located under the World Trade Center. Behind the elevated rail is a flagpole along with two illuminated blue lights to represent the Twin Towers.

There is a narrative wall, as well as a mosaic with a concrete patriotic design, denoting where the attacks took place in the United States.

It is the narrative wall, however, that sparked controversy regarding its inscription over the past several weeks and after the Children of Abraham, which is part of an interfaith organization in Johnson City, requested that its wording, “Islamic Terrorists” be changed.

But the Owego Town Supervisor, Donald Castellucci Jr., declined this request to change the wording, and this decision drew attention from national news media. It was this national media attention, in part, that drew a large number of motorcycle clubs, to include the Patriot Guard Riders, to the memorial in Owego on Sunday to support its dedication and to protect the ceremony.

There were several protesters sitting and standing peacefully with signs throughout the ceremony, until the end – and when the color guard was retreating and the Owego school band was performing Amazing Grace.

It is at that time that a man with a sign jumped into the ceremony area, and behind the color guard, and was yelling and protesting operations at the neighboring Lockheed Martin facility. The protest was mainly regarding their involvement in the drone program overseas.

The Patriot Guard Riders, at this point, circled the protester and held flags around him to shield family members of those lost in the attacks from the display. The Patriot Guard then led the protester off of the ceremony grounds and unshielded him as he continued to protest.

Sam Cornwell, who was at the ceremony along with the 30 Patriot Guards and other motorcycle and veteran organizations, stated that the Patriot Guard mission is non-violent, and simply meant to keep the protesters out of the actual ceremony.

Judy Homanic, who arrived from Binghamton, N.Y., has been an active voice in protesting the drone program at Lockheed Martin. Homanic stated, on Sunday, that Islam did not have to be mentioned on the memorial. Homanic, who wore a shirt with Arabic on it, was one of several protesters that arrived at the ceremony.

All in all, things were peaceful on Sunday, and protesters were allowed their freedom of speech, as long as they did not enter into the active ceremony.

Several dignitaries were present to offer words during the ceremony, as well as New York State Police Sergeant Martin Kopcho and retired FBI Special Agent Paul Garten; both of who were working during the attacks on Sept. 11 2001.

During his address to guests, Garten, who was working at the Pentagon, stated, “It’s hard to remember how things were before September 11.” He spoke of the changes in government following the attacks to include the formation of Homeland Security. Garten called the morning of the attacks confusing, and chaotic.

Kopcho, who was at the World Trade Center following the attacks, recalled a look of hope and despair on the faces of those that were there, that they couldn’t find any more bodies.

But most energetic during the ceremony on Sunday was a Benediction by Tom O’Connor, chaplain of Davis College.

“This is a healing process for all of us,” said O’Connor, adding, “Scars are very visible. What we have here today is unity.”

“We were shaken and horrified, but we also became unified,” O’Connor concluded.