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Croton-on-Hudson, NY- It may have been wishful thinking that a tri-municipal 9/11 Remembrance Memorial approved at Croton Landing on the Hudson River in Croton-on-Hudson would be completed by the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks since the cost of the project has been estimated at $200,000.
However, that hasn't stopped a dedicated group of volunteers from planning the design and raising funds with the goal now of having it constructed by September 11, 2012.
"It's really the money. It's just getting the money in place," said Croton resident and project director Janet Mainiero. "I don't think it will take long to build it. A couple of months at most."
Earlier this year, officials from Cortlandt, Croton and Buchanan approved the design, called "Reaching Through the Shadow," which was submitted by Croton resident James Rhodes. It features a six-foot-high woman, representing life, reaching up towards a steel beam, a gesture that represents hope. The 14-foot-long beam was once part of the north tower of the World Trade Center and was secured last February.
The memorial will pay tribute to four of the 109 residents from Westchester who died at the World Trade Center who resided in Cortlandt---William Abrahamson, James Oakley, Thomas Sinton and Joseph Zuccala. It will also recognize other victims of the attacks who had family members in the area, along with first responders who volunteered at Ground Zero and war veterans.
A special task force and Cortlandt officials have reached out to many organizations and corporations for possible sponsorships and are looking for some in-kind services as well to defray some of the costs of the construction.
An upcoming wine tasting benefit for the memorial will be held on Sunday, September 18 at the newly renovated Monteverde at Oldstone on Bear Mountain Bridge Road. A golf outing is also scheduled for October 17 at Hollow Brook Golf Course in Cortlandt. More information can be found at www.9-11remembrance.com.
A tri-municipal September 11th ceremony was originally eyed at the Croton Landing site this year but that idea was nixed by a triathlon that will be held in the village. Instead, the ceremony will take place at Cortlandt Town Hall.
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