![\"Tioga](\"http:\/\/www.greenstreetdata.com\/PS\/owego\/files\/2021\/09\/Memorial1.jpg\")
<\/a>Local first responders and scouts prepare the U.S. Flag prior to the Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony, held at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial at Hickories Park in Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n
The remembrance service marked the fifth service held at the Town of Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial. Previous services were held at the Baker Fireman\u2019s Fountain in the Village. <\/p>\n
Emergency services personnel from multiple communities within Tioga County attended the service, as did members of the public. The Campville Fire Department displayed the American Flag by hoisting it via the ladder of an aerial truck.<\/p>\n
<\/a>V.F.W. members and police officers salute during the National Anthem at the Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony, held at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial at Hickories Park in Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n
The V.F.W. Post 1371 Honor Guard posted the colors led by bagpiper, Pete Ziolkowski. Andrea McBride performed the National Anthem and Pastor Tom O\u2019Connor offered the invocation.<\/p>\n
Owego Fire Department Lieutenant John Hitchings rang the fireman\u2019s bell to signify the exact times of the attacks. <\/p>\n
<\/a>Local scouts salute as Andrea McBride sings the National Anthem at the Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony, held at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial at Hickories Park in Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n
Raftis recognized several Tioga County firefighters and EMS, some of whom were in attendance, and who responded to Ground Zero.<\/p>\n
Speakers at the ceremony included Town of Owego Supervisor Donald Castellucci, N.Y.S. Court Security Officer Matt Tallon, N.Y.S. Police Captain Eric Dauber, N.Y.S. Assemblyman Christopher Friend, Tioga County Legislative Chairwoman Martha Sauerbrey, Town of Owego Deputy Supervisor and V.F.W. member Dean Morgan, Troop 43 Scout Master Mike Martinez, and N.Y.S. Police Officer, and dear friend of Derek Statkevicus, Steve Ayers along with Derek\u2019s parents, Joseph and Nancy Statkevicus.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Fire officials and law enforcement officers pay respects to lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, and during the 20th anniversary and remembrance ceremony, held at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial at Hickories Park in Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n
Castellucci acknowledged first responders and also thanked Raftis for his continued dedication. About the attacks, he said, in part, \u201cIt is the responsibility of our generation to be sure that following generations don\u2019t forget.\u201d<\/p>\n
Castellucci also shared a grim fact, that the impact of the 9\/11 attacks are still being felt today since many first responders have been diagnosed with various forms of cancer.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Town of Owego Supervisor Donald Castellucci opens the 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony, held at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial at Hickories Park in Owego on Saturday. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n
One of those affected by cancer was Ed Kiluk. Dauber shared that Kiluk had served 23 years with Troop C of the N.Y.S. Police and had worked several weeks at Ground Zero, which led to a cancer diagnosis in 2019. Kiluk passed away in April. Dauber added that it\u2019s important for our future generations to learn from history, and felt it important to visit the 9\/11 Memorial in N.Y.C. with his daughter.<\/p>\n
<\/a>John Hitchings waits to toll the bell during the 20th anniversary and remembrance ceremony, held at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial at Hickories Park in Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n
Morgan, Ayers, Martinez, and members of Troop 43 paid tribute to Derek Statkevicus, who was working on the 86th floor of the World Trade Center\u2019s South Tower, and lost his life on Sept. 11.<\/p>\n
Derek, an Apalachin native, was an Eagle Scout in the same troop, and Martinez remarked, \u201cIt\u2019s an honor to pay tribute to Derek\u2019s life. He lived as an Eagle Scout, with the ideals and principles of Scout Law,\u201d adding, \u201cWe should all continue living those ideals in memory of those lost.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/a>First responders attend the 20th anniversary and remembrance ceremony, held at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial at Hickories Park in Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n
Ayers reflected about growing up with Derek and then achieving the Eagle Scout rank together, and Derek\u2019s parents spoke briefly on how they still remain connected to Troop 43. The group gathered in remembrance of Derek, and as a wreath was placed near a granite bench that was previously dedicated in his honor, a bench that today remains an integral part of Tioga County\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial.<\/p>\n
<\/a>From left, V.F.W. member and Deputy Town of Owego Supervisor Dean Morgan, along with Troop 43 Scoutmaster Mike Martinez and two scouts, recite the Boy Scout oath and law, and in remembrance of Apalachin native Derek Statkevicus, who was also a scout and lost his life on Sept. 11, 2001 while working on the 86th floor of the South Tower in New York City. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n
Two examples of the next generation never forgetting about Sept. 11, 2001 were shared at the remembrance ceremony.<\/p>\n
Tallon recalled the emotions surrounding 9\/11 while a sophomore at Maine Endwell High School, and said, \u201cI will never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/a>The parents of Derek Statkevicus, an Apalachin native who lost his life on Sept. 11, 2001, speak to guests at the 20th anniversary and remembrance ceremony, held at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial at Hickories Park in Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n
Today, Tallon is a N.Y.S. court officer. He shared that each day as he arrives for work, he walks past photos of three officers who lost their lives on 9\/11. He recited their names at the remembrance ceremony.<\/p>\n
The service concluded with a benediction offered by retired Rev. Earl Arnold, bugler Steve Palinosky played Taps, and Ziolkowski performed Amazing Grace as the Honor Guard retired the colors.<\/p>\n
You can watch the full ceremony at https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=MJeMTWpg5K4<\/a>.<\/p>\n Members of V.F.W. Post 1371 offer a rifle salute during the 20th anniversary and remembrance ceremony, held at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial at Hickories Park in Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n Also marking the 20th anniversary of 9\/11, N.Y.S. Governor Kathy Hochul signed three pieces of legislation. The bills ensure that all first responders who participated in the World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup operations can access benefits available to them. <\/p>\n Guests gather during the 20th anniversary and remembrance ceremony, held at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial at Hickories Park in Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n Via a press release, Governor Hochul remarked, in part, \u201cThese laws will help not only first responders who were at the World Trade Center and those who cleaned up the site for weeks afterwards, but also the emergency dispatchers and communications personnel. We will ensure they receive the support and benefits they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n Refer to www.governor.ny.gov<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n At the conclusion of the 20th anniversary and remembrance ceremony, held at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial at Hickories Park in Owego, bagpiper Pete Ziolkowski takes it out. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n Bagpiper Pete Ziolkowski is pictured at the 20th anniversary and remembrance ceremony, held at Owego\u2019s 9\/11 Memorial at Hickories Park in Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>