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A service of remembrance

| 12 Sep 2018 | 09:10
    Photos by William Dimmit Men and women, old and not so old, gathered Tuesday night in Monroe to remember fallen heroes and neighbors.
    Photos by William Dimmit Men and women, old and not so old, gathered Tuesday night in Monroe to remember fallen heroes and neighbors.
    The Rev. Maria Jones from the Journey Church of Hudson Valley read the poem, “If they could speak.”
    The Rev. Maria Jones from the Journey Church of Hudson Valley read the poem, “If they could speak.”
    Photos by William Dimmit A moment of reflection.
    Photos by William Dimmit A moment of reflection.
    The salute of the members of the Monroe Fire Department.
    The salute of the members of the Monroe Fire Department.
    Fire Chief John Scherne rang the bell in tribute to the fallen.
    Fire Chief John Scherne rang the bell in tribute to the fallen.
    Town of Monroe Supervisor Anthony Cardone read the names of the local residents who perished on Sept. 11.
    Town of Monroe Supervisor Anthony Cardone read the names of the local residents who perished on Sept. 11.
    Marissa Mitchell sang “My Country Tis of Thee” and brought the crowd to its feet when she led them in “America the Beautiful.”
    Marissa Mitchell sang “My Country Tis of Thee” and brought the crowd to its feet when she led them in “America the Beautiful.”
    The Rev. Wendy Paige, a pastor at Central Valley United Methodist Church, sang the “National Anthem” and “Amazing Grace.”
    The Rev. Wendy Paige, a pastor at Central Valley United Methodist Church, sang the “National Anthem” and “Amazing Grace.”
    Village of Monroe Mayor Neil Dwyer
    Village of Monroe Mayor Neil Dwyer

MONROE — At the remembrance service held Tuesday in Monroe on the seventeenth anniversary of the terrorists attack on New York and Washington, the Rev. Maria Jones from the Journey Church of Hudson Valley read the poem by Rosanne Pellicane, “If they could speak.”
“Please don’t be afraid. Yes, life is different now but remember when it was beautiful? Well, it will be again, though not the same.
“The wounds will heal, your tears will dry and though scars remain, I know you are strong enough to live through the pain.
“Do not grieve and linger in the shadows of graves.
"Go out into the sunshine and tell everyone that I was here.
"Let our enemy know that when we were together we lived, and worked and loved. And though I am gone, you will carry on for me because you must.
“Tell my family how much I loved them and still do. Remember the good we shared, the life we created, and walk forward with noble dreams. God can’t fill a shattered heart or a clenched fist.
“Let fear die and let love flow again like a river.
“So as the smoke rises high above the ash, gather all your strength and rebuild something new, something better.
“It’s not impossible. It’s essential. It’s what I would do for you.
“Just one last thing, surely you must know, I never wanted to leave you. I was captured by fate, escorted by angels.
“And though you might feel you are alone, you are not and neither am I.......
“Love always”
Those neighbors from Monroe included:
• Michael E. Asher
• Matthew E. Barnes, FDNY
• Thomas Dowd
• Kenneth Marino, FDNY
• Edward J. Mazzella Jr.
• Lynne Irene Morris
They were captured by fate, escorted by angels.