The Valley Marks 20 Years Since The Sept. 11 Terrorist Attacks

DERBY – An afternoon of reflection, grief, hope and remembrance. 

City, community leaders, first responders & more than 100 other people gathered Saturday on the Derby Green to remember the almost 3,000 lives taken during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks of 20 years ago. 

“On this day 20 years ago, villany was met with valor, and hate was met with unity and hope,” said U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro. 

The Derby Fire Department Sept. 11 Memorial Monument, dedicated in 2014, is located on the Green. This summer, a retaining wall and general improvements were made to the memorial.

It contains emblems of each site — a piece of steel from the World Trade Center, the shape of the Pentagon and a slab granite stone to mark Shanksville, PA where United Flight 93 crashed. 

“The memorial asks us that we honor and remember all that occurred on that infamous day, the lives lost, a country wounded,” said former Derby Fire Chief William Nicoletti, a key player in the memorial’s inception.

While the ceremony began at 4 p.m, a Valley emergency responder honor guard was stationed at the monument beginning at 8:46 a.m., the time at which Flight 11 struck the north tower of the World Trade Center. 

A similar remembrance happened in Ansonia, where members of the American Legion stood guard in Veterans Park on Main Street during long shifts on both Friday and Saturday. Ansonia held a memorial service and bell-ringing Saturday morning. Click here for details from the City of Ansonia.

In Derby, emergency service speakers recalled the heroic acts and sacrifices of New York City police, EMS and firefighters. Many local and Valley firefighters and first responders traveled to assist in the rescue efforts at Ground Zero following the attacks, according to Derby firefighter Michael Witek.

“Next time you watch a documentary or a film on TV about the Twin Towers, know that the story is closer to home than you think,” Witek said.

One hundred and fifty three residents in Connecticut were killed in the terrorist attacks, their names etched at the Sept. 11 Living Memorial at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. There are still 1,106 unidentified victims. 

DeLauro and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal called for national unity.

“Even the smallest act of service and kindness is a way to honor the fallen, and help heal and unite a grieving nation,” said DeLauro.

Several speakers also noted those who passed and suffered from 9/11 related-cancers & PTSD, and the 13 service members killed on Aug. 26 during the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the country the U.S. invaded in order to search for the terrorists responsible for the attacks. 

“I’ve heard a lot of comments that we would forget — we’re not forgetting,” said Derby Mayor Richard Dziekan. ​“We used this to make us stronger, and make the world a better place.” 

A group of Boy Scouts from Troop 3 in Derby stood with American flags, all of whom were not even born yet during the terrorist attacks. 

“It is our hope that by having this monument here on the Green, it can serve as a permanent reminder that day will not be forgotten, and to help educate younger generations so that they too can never forget,” said Nicoletti. 

Please click here for more photos.

Here is a list of participants from Saturday afternoon’s ceremony:
Jet Parker
Michael Witek
William Nicoletti
Mayor Richard Dziekan
Rep. Rosa DeLauro
Sen. Richard Blumenthal 
Conn. Firefighters Pipes and Drums
Derby Police Commissioner Thomas Lenart Sr. 
Derby Fire Commissioner Gary Parker
Storm Ambulance Chief Brian Mezzapelle 
Derby Fire Chief David Lenart
BSA Troop 3 Derby CT