As we approach the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, I join many of my colleagues who serve as elected officials when I say “thank you” to our country’s emergency responders and military personnel. I encourage my constituents to pause and reflect for a moment of silence on Sunday, September 11, as we remember what happened 10 years ago as a result of horrific acts that lead to the destruction of New York City’s World Trade Center, damage to the Pentagon and the loss of nearly 3,000 American lives. We all live very busy lives, but it is important that we recognize September 11, 2011 as a day of solemn commemoration and pay tribute to our country’s first responders and join together as a nation to never forget the challenges we endured on and since September 11, 2001. There will be a series of community remembrance events taking place throughout the 60th Senate District this month that will be free and open to people of all faiths and I hope you will join me at these events scheduled to take place in the Cities of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Tonawanda and the Town of Grand Island. I would also like to take this time to thank all of local veterans for their service to our country, including our district’s Community Liaison, veteran Ron Deschenes, who works out of our Buffalo Office. He served this nation for nearly four years, including two years spent in Vietnam. I can assure anyone who attends any of these special events that our first responders, service men and women, well deserve the praise for their service and dedication to keeping us safe and preserving our nation’s freedom as these programs will appropriately mark the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. God Bless America! NYS Senator Mark Grisanti
