The Suffolk County Courts held dual ceremonies to honor the 9/11 heroes and victims, paying special homage to the three Unified Court System court officers who gave their lives in the 9/11 rescue efforts at the World Trade Center: Captain William Harry Thompson and Sergeants Thomas Jurgens and Mitchel Wallace. The outdoor tributes took place under beautiful blue skies, first at the Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex in Riverhead and later at the John P. Cohalan, Jr. Court Complex in Central Islip.
District Administrative Judge Andrew A. Crecca and District Executive Warren G. Clark welcomed dozens of judges, nonjudicial personnel, and area residents to the two events, which were marked by words of inspiration and moving musical performances. “Every year when we gather to remember the events of 9/11, we use the moment to cherish our human legacy from that day—the solidarity, the unity, the support that we all showed one another during one of the most unexpected and traumatic times of our lives,” said Judge Crecca. “Having us gathered here each year from all different corners of Suffolk’s legal community is a testament to that legacy.”
This year’s ceremonies featured keynote speakers retired Chief Thomas Richardson—a 40-year FDNY veteran cited for bravery a half dozen times—and Dr. Richard Rotanz, former Deputy Commissioner of New York City’s Office of Emergency Services. “It is our responsibility as Americans to come together every year in our communities to remember and honor those who perished that day, and to honor those who have served and protected our freedoms for years after,” Chief Richardson said. “We literally crawled out of the rubble that day,” recalled Dr. Rotanz who, with his workplace demolished in the attacks, quickly set up an office at a nearby pier from which he managed the city’s multi-organizational response to the tragedy. Leaders from the Suffolk County Court Employees Association and the Suffolk County Court Officers Benevolent Association also spoke at the tributes.
Other event highlights included the presentation of colors by the New York State Courts Ceremonial Unit-Suffolk County and musical performances by Supervising Court Attorney Ray Voorhees, who sang the National Anthem, and Court Assistant James Stevens, who led the audience in a beautiful rendition of God Bless America.
“Looking back, it is easy to remember the evil and the horror, but it is much more powerful and uplifting to remember the lessons we learned. The positivity, the hope, the unity, the best of human nature was brought out in all of us from that tragedy—that is how I choose to remember this day,” added Administrative Judge Crecca.
