Honoring the Fallen: Mamaroneck's 9/11 Ceremony, 11 Years Later

On a crisp, cool and sunny day—not unlike the weather 11 years ago in New York City on the day of the 9/11 tragedy—community members gathered in Larchmont’s to remember the victims of the calamity that no American will ever forget.

“We all suffered the losses together and tried to comfort one another,” said Town of Mamaroneck Supervisor Nancy Seligson, in her opening remarks.

Town of Mamaroneck Fire Chief Brendan Collins spoke about how the response of rescue workers inspired him.

“We look to the past, we remember the loss….seeing the worst of humanity inspire the best of humanity,” he said.

As he did last year on the tenth anniversary of 9/11, spoke openly about his own personal loss of a family member during the tragedy.  Caparelli’s cousin, John Mascali—a firefighter with Ladder 122 in Staten Island—was one of the first responders who was sent to Tower 2. Several days after 9/11, Caparelli found the remnants of Mascali’s smashed fire truck, clothing and helmet amidst the rubble.

“We don’t bask in the shade of obscurity….we shine, as we did that day,” he said of his fellow responders.

Regan Kelly, Village of Mamaroneck police sergeant, encouraged others to be inspired by those that sacrificed their lives.

“On this day, let us pause and think for a moment of the sacrifice made of our fellow citizens. And, with a quietness and confidence, let us try to perform our duties as our fallen friends and neighbors did,” he said.

“My biggest fear was we were going to see fewer and fewer people come…it’s so heartening to see that the crowd is still here,” said Westchester County Legislator Judy Myers.

Mamaroneck’s Poet Laureate Mary Louise Cox read a poem whose title resonated with the sober theme of the ceremony: “When There Are No Words.”

“Let memories of people and places stream across your mind….turn on some music…breathe, wait.”

Seligson then read the names of the 12 Larchmont-Mamaroneck residents who lost their lives in 9/11:

Helen Belilovsky

Douglas G. Karpiloff

Frank J. Koestner

John T. McErlean, Jr.

John F. Swaine

John A. Reo

J. Howard Boulton, Jr.

Edward H. Luckett

Christopher T. Orgielewicz

Maurice P. Kelly

Helen Crossin-Kittle

Patricia Helen Kittle