Richie Sullivan remembers September 11, 2001. Not just the tragic events that took place as airplanes hit the Twin Towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington DC, or the airplane that crashed in Shanksville, Penn.

He remembers that he was late to work on the Williamsburg Bridge in New York City that morning, because there was a primary in New York State and he stood and chatted a little bit too long with one of his favorite community members, Rosemary Gannon, after he cast his ballot.

Sullivan, now the Town of Highlands Deputy Supervisor, was the guest speaker at the annual September 11 Patriot’s Day Ceremony. It was held, as usual, at the Patriot Garden in Fort Montgomery, and attended by several hundred Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery residents. And the reason it can be said that Sullivan isn’t the only one who remembers the ‘before’ of September 11? After the ceremony, despite the quickly falling darkness, those people stood around for awhile and shared some of their memories.

The lifelong resident shared his “perspective on this day, and this place,” as well as paid tribute to first responders and those who serve in the military. “For the record, I am in awe of that level of service,” he said.

Sullivan got to work on that fateful day about a half hour before the first plane hit the World Trade Center. He recalls that his job was shut down nearly immediately, and it took him six hours to get home to Fort Montgomery. Along the way, he saw police and fire units streaming toward the city.

“The next day, the 12th, most of the nation was glued to the news,” he said, noting that he and many of his co-workers reported to ‘Ground Zero’ to help.

“I was not there long term for the recovery and cleanup,” Sullivan added, “and I am not going to dwell on those few days I was, but the sounds and the smells will live in me forever.”
He did take a minute to speak about the “profound unity” in America on September 12.

“There was an American flag on every barn, blood banks were overflowing, and President Bush came to New York and instilled hope and confidence in those involved in the recovery,” he said.

In 2004, the Patriot Garden was built in Fort Montgomery and Sullivan, with his construction background was a part of that. He paid tribute to Doris Lent, who was also instrumental in the creation of the garden, and who still organizes the ceremony each year. She attended the ceremony. He also focused on the late Bobbi Polak, who was also a part of the creation of the garden. She recently died; a moment of silence was offered for her.

The theme of this year’s event was ‘Country and Community, We Will Never Forget’.

From the event program: “This 9/11 Memorial is a tribute of remembrance, honoring the people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Penn. We also remember the people killed in the World Trade Center bombing on February 26, 1993, and all those who have passed due to the after-effects from one of the most horrible days in the U.S.”

Jeff Gathers served as master of ceremonies and introduced the various community groups and individuals who participated. The invocation was given by Rev. Carlos Figueroa of Hudson Highlands United Methodist Church, and the benediction was given by Rev. Leita Singleton of St. John AME Zion Church. A large contingent of cadets from O’Neill High School’s JROTC performed the flag raising duties, and U.S. Military Academy cadets laid wreaths on the piece of World Trade Center steel and Pentagon concrete and the Shanksville monument. Students from O’Neill High School’s Select Chorus sang the National Anthem, and Jean Sharp led all in the singing of God Bless America at the end of the event. SSG Gillian Gaunt from the USMA Band played taps, and Boy Scout Kale Putt led all there in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Lining the park during the ceremony were members of the Town of Highlands Police with Chief Joseph Burns, the Highland Falls Fire Department, and the Fort Montgomery Fire Department. Tom Armstrong and his grandson Seth, both FMFD members, ‘sounded the bell’ in memory of those lost during the ceremony.

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Earlier in the day, several dozen community residents and Highland Falls entire workforce gathered at Memorial Park in the village to plant small flags at the base of the piece of World Trade Center steel at that location. Mayor Joe D’Onofrio hosted the short ceremony, saying “Today, as we gather to remember, we reflect on the events of September 11, 2001, an unprecedented day of tragedy, heroism and unity in our nation’s history,” he said. “It is a day that changed us forever, leaving an indelible mark on our collective memory.”