The evening seemed to sink under the weight of the solemn event that had brought so many to the steps of the Hunt Memorial building. This past Monday, the community of Wawarsing held its fifth annual memorial service and candlelight vigil in remembrance of the men and women who lost their lives during 9-11.

A large ladder truck was brought into Liberty Square and a detail of several first responders carried a large American flag into the square where it was hoisted several feet in the air.

The ceremony, which started near dusk at 6:30 pm, began with emcee, Dennis Warner, addressing the large crowd as, "the brothers and sisters of 9-11." He went on to ask that the crowd recognize the several groups that were present including the color guard of the Eastern Correctional Facility, the Napanoch fire district, New York State Police, and Ellenville and Kerhonkson's first aid squads.

Rabbi Moshe Frank then offered an invocation asking that those in attendance, "give meaning to the loss of those precious lives lost in 9-11", by being, "a kinder, more compassionate, merciful and giving people."

Next, Denise Younger, wife of Deputy Mayor Ray Younger, performed her rendition of "God Bless America".

Father John Lynch of Sr. Mary's and St. Andrew's Church spoke next and asked that America's enemies, "forget their hatred and be healed."

Mayor Jeffrey Kaplan and Supervisor James Dolaway offered their remarks about the power and importance of the day. Mayor Kaplan made the point that "normalcy" as understood before 9-11 was a thing of the past and the world had been irrevocably changed by the event.

At the ceremony's close, Denise Younger, this time accompanied by husband Ray, sang a song entitled "The Prayer" for the service's benediction.

During the song, seemingly on cue, a fire siren went off at a nearby firehouse that, when mingled with the voices, offered the listener a profound reminder of just what everyone had gathered for.

One such person was local first aid volunteer and Town Councilman, John Gavaris. He joined the Ellenville First Aid and Rescue Squad and the Napanoch Fire Department in 2002 in part, because of 9-11. "It suited my need to do something in the community. I had friends in the department for years. That [9-11] gave me the push to do it." In fact, Mr. Gavaris was so moved by the events of the day that he now wears a tattoo on his left arm as a memorial to those lost. "When I say the pledge I place my hand over it."

The day's event would not have happened without the effort of several community members, particularly Robert Berger and Paul Craft, who have organized the memorial service every year as well as organized the fund drive days after 9-11-01, which raised $36,000 for Bronx-Harlem Squad 41 who lost several members during the rescue effort.

Asked if the fundraising effort in the weeks after 9-11 or the turnout for the memorial services was surprising to him, Mr. Berger responded, "No. Not at all. Because that's the way the Ellenville is. That's the way the Town of Wawarsing is – Napanoch, Cragsmoor, Kerhonkson. All you have to do is look around at the things that go on: Eddie Ryan, the hospital, any fundraising really.

Berger continued, "It's never been an issue to get volunteers. If something needs to get done, it gets done. It only reinforces what I feel about the Town of Wawarsing. I think, "Thank God this is where I live."

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