LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the Eighth Annual September 11th
Patriot Day Remembrance Service at the Orange County Arboretum on
September 11, 2009

WHEREAS, The power of human compassion and the strength of the American
spirit is exemplified time and time again by the countless individuals
who have given of themselves in the wake of the unprecedented tragedy
which befell our State and Nation on September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, The memory of those who lost their lives will forever remain
with their families, and the bravery of those who came to the aid of
others in the face of unknown danger will live in the hearts of every
New Yorker and every American; and
WHEREAS, To those who were lost and the loved ones they leave behind,
to those who were there to help, we will never forget; the banner of
freedom will always wave over our beloved New York and all of America,
the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave; and
WHEREAS, Sponsored by the Friends of the Orange County Arboretum, in
cooperation with the Orange County Department of Parks, Recreation and
Conservation, the Eighth Annual September 11th Patriot Day Remembrance
Service will honor the 44 Orange County residents lost on that horrific
day and pay tribute to our brave military; and
WHEREAS, The Ancient Order of Hibernians, the United States Military
Academy at West Point Cadet Color Guard, the New York State Police Color
Guard and the Orange County Sheriff's Department Color Guard will escort
survivors, family and friends along the Remembrance Walkway to the Memo-
rial Garden; Song of the Valley Chorus, Sweet Adeline's International
will then sing the National Anthem and a medley of patriotic songs; and
WHEREAS, William J. Bratton, Jr., representing the families of Septem-
ber 11, and James W. Taylor, Jr., the September 11 Remembrance Memorial
benefactor, will read the names of those lost on September 11, 2001, and
the local military personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, The Remembrance Walkway will be lined by military veterans,
the JROTC and Orange County Volunteer Fire Companies who will hoist a
large Garrison American Flag as a backdrop for the services; each visi-
tor will be given a red rose to carry to the Memorial; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, the Friends of the Orange County Arboretum and the
Orange County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, under
the direction of then Commissioner Graham M. Skea, recognized that parks
bring people together and created the September 11th Memorial Garden to
provide a place to honor, reflect and heal a community and Nation; and
WHEREAS, The Memorial Garden features a 10-ton granite globe, hydro-
planing on a thin layer of water; the outer wall of the pool contains
individual bronze plaques with the names of the 44 Orange County resi-
dents that perished on September 11, 2001, and the 1,500 feet of walk-
ways with adjacent flora gardens, benches and specimen trees, provide a
peaceful location for public meditation within the 35-acre arboretum;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the Eighth Annual September 11th Patriot Day Remembrance
Service at the Orange County Arboretum on September 11, 2009; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Friends of the Orange County Arboretum and the Orange
County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation.