{"id":75134,"date":"2019-09-15T10:15:29","date_gmt":"2019-09-15T14:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/?p=75134"},"modified":"2019-09-16T09:51:10","modified_gmt":"2019-09-16T13:51:10","slug":"owego-never-forgets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2019\/09\/15\/owego-never-forgets\/","title":{"rendered":"Owego \u2018Never Forgets\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Last Wednesday, Sept. 11, community members gathered at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial at Hickories Park for a Remembrance ceremony. It has been 18 years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pa. took the lives of 341 New York City firemen, two paramedics and 23 police officers; Port Authority lost 37 and eight additional EMTs from private EMT units, and 2,581 civilians including a former Town of Owego resident, Derek James Statkevicus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Owego
The 9\/11 Memorial at Hickories Park in Owego contains two subway rails that were located beneath the World Trade Center. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Gathering for the ceremony in Owego were several dignitaries, fire personnel, officers of the court and law, and guests showing respect for the thousands that lost their lives on Sept. 11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Owego
Senator Fred Akshar addresses guests at Wednesday\u2019s 9\/11 Remembrance ceremony held at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial, located at Hickories Park. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Referenced during the ceremony by Jim Raftis Sr., who served as emcee, were recollections of a former Owego Fire Chief, Ken Easton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Owego
Law enforcement officials attend Wednesday\u2019s 9\/11 Remembrance ceremony at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial, located at Hickories Park. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Raftis recalled Easton\u2019s account following 9\/11, and how first responders from Owego went down to the city to support their brothers and sisters. Fast forward, Raftis stated, to the flood of 2011, and the arrival in Owego by members of the New York City department to assist with flood recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Owego
A wreath is placed near a granite bench dedicated to Derek James Statkevicus. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dean Morgan also spoke at the ceremony, paying tribute and remembrance to Owego Resident Derek James Statkevicus, son of Joseph and Nancy Statkevicus and formerly of Apalachin. He was a 1989 Vestal High School graduate, and an Eagle Scout with Apalachin Troop 43. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Owego
John Hitchings prepares to toll the bell. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Derek graduated Cum Laude from Ithaca College, and was employed by KBW Bank and was on the 86th floor of the World Trade Center, South Tower. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Owego
The VFW Color Guard is pictured at Wednesday\u2019s Remembrance ceremony at the 9\/11 Memorial, located at Hickories Park. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In 2001, Derek, who was 30 years old, lived in Norwalk, Conn. with his wife Kimberly and their one-year-old son, Tyler. At the time of the attack, Kimberly was pregnant with their second son, Derek Chase, who was born on Jan. 2, 2002.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Owego
Pictured, the Reverend Jamie Stevens, from Owego\u2019s United Methodist Church, offers the benediction and speaks about his own experience as a pastor following the events of 9\/11. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Town of Owego honored Derek with a granite bench that is an integral part of the 9\/11 Memorial in Hickories Park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Owego
Bagpiper Jeremiah Allen is pictured by Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial, located at Hickories Park. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Other speakers included Town of Owego Supervisor Donald Castellucci and New York State\u2019s 52nd District Senator, Fred Akshar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Owego
Photo from Wednesday\u2019s Remembrance ceremony at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial, located at Hickories Park. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Color Guard of the Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars lowered the American flag to half-staff, and Dean Morgan played live taps; Andrea McBride sang National Anthem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Owego
John Hitchings prepares to toll the bell during Wednesday\u2019s Remembrance ceremony at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial, located at Hickories Park. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A Tolling of the Bell, by John Hitchings, signaled the \u201clast alarm\u201d for the fallen first responders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Owego
Wednesday\u2019s ceremony concluded with bagpipes played by Jeremiah Allen. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The remembrance ceremony also honored seven from Owego who in past years gave their lives for the safety of Owego citizens; they include Owego Police Department\u2019s Isaac Wiltsie and F. Allen Hall, Owego Fire Department\u2019s Ray Wiltse, Winifred Knapp Sr., Richard Beck, Steven Gavin and Matthew Porcari. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Owego
The VFW\u2019s Color Guard is pictured at Wednesday\u2019s Remembrance ceremony held at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial, located at Hickories Park. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

You can view more photos from the ceremony by following The Owego Pennysaver on Facebook<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Owego
The VFW\u2019s Color Guard is pictured at Wednesday\u2019s Remembrance ceremony held at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial, located at Hickories Park. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Last Wednesday, Sept. 11, community members gathered at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial at Hickories Park for a Remembrance ceremony. 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