On September 11, 2001 Westport — and the nation — changed forever.
The 9/11 terrorists did more than kill nearly 3,000 people (including several with local ties.) They changed our culture, politics, and sense of ourselves.
On a strikingly clear day, we saw smoke from the Twin Towers. Sherwood Island State Park was readied as a staging area that, tragically, was never needed.
The iconic 9/11 photo was taken by Staples High School graduate Spencer Platt. He lived near the Twin Towers on that awful morning.
Westporters — first responders, and others who just wanted to help in any way possible — spent time in the rubble, and nearby.
Sherwood Island is now the site of Connecticut’s 9/11 memorial. Scholarships honor the memories of friends and neighbors we lost.
Sherwood Island State Park 9/11 Memorial (Photo/David Squires)
Next month, our town will remember both the lives lost, and the extraordinary acts of kindness and unity that followed, in a special way. Officials have planned 4 days of service, to neighbors and the community.
Residents, families, businesses, schools, non-profits and community organizations are invited to gather, serve and honor together.
The 4-day observance — September 8 through 11 — will recognize the courage and sacrifices of first responders, military members and public servants, while strengthening our community through service, compassion and generosity.
Among the activities:
- A ceremony on September 8, with a call to serve throughout the week
- Volunteering with a participating Westport non-profit
- Donating food, supplies or funds to a non-profit
- Performing independent acts of kindness or community service
- Thanking first responders, veterans, healthcare professionals, teachers, and others who serve our town
A special page on the town website (click here) includes information about volunteer opportunities, donations, and other ways to get involved.
9/11 Memorial & Museum (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
There is also an “Online Tribute Wall.” Residents are invited to share:
- A memory of September 11, 2001
- A tribute to someone who was lost
- A story of service or kindness
- Recognition of a first responder, veteran, healthcare worker, teacher, volunteer or community member
- A message of gratitude
- A photograph and the story behind it
- A reflection on what September 11 means to you today.
Submissions may include a name, or be posted anonymously.
View from the Sherwood Island 9/11 Memorial. (Photo/John Kantor)
After the 4 Days of Service and Remembrance, the town will publish highlights of volunteer participation, acts of service, charitable giving, and stories of remembrance.
For now, put September 8 to 11 on your calendar.
That time of year is always busy. School, and many programs, start up again. Organizations swing back in action. Everyone kicks into fall mode.
But 9/11 is special.
Whether you were here that day or not — or were alive or not yet born — it’s time to pause.
Reflect.
And then — as Americans did, a quarter century ago — take action, in whatever way you can.
My wife and I worked at ground zero just blocks from the pile feeding first responders, iron workers and other aid workers. At slow times we loaded a luggage cart that was blown out of the hotel with food and walked it down to the pile to feed the workers who refused to leave the pile, afraid if they did they might miss assisting a rescue. Although I was very familiar with the district it was almost impossible to recognize anything there, the devastation was so overwhelming. I could imagine this was somewhat similar to parts of Europe bombed out during WWII. It was an absolute nightmare. Although the EPA and health department were on site supposedly sampling the air and letting people know when it was safe to unmask, we now know they did a horrible job and that the air was full of toxins. This is why to date more people have died from 911 induced disease than died in the buildings that day. We had to register with the government to be eligible for coverage if we contracted or contract a 911-related health problem. That day a fireman who was headed home after his shift turned around and headed back into the City but traffic was stopped at the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. Undeterred and in his 100lbs of turnout gear, he ran through the tunnel and to the World Trade Center to assist. He died in the towers collapse. That fireman’s grieving family started the Tunnel To Towers Foundation in his honor. For 25 years they’ve used an impressive 95 cents / dollar donated to pay off the mortgages of first responders killed in the line of duty and built smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans. A couple of years ago they decided to combat veteran homelessness by renovating old hotels into apartments and providing all services needed to return these heroes to society. To date they’ve helped 27,500 vets and have an additional 5 hotels under development. The CEO of T2T (the fireman’s brother) takes no salary or benefits, working tirelessly for the charity. If you really want to never forget 911 please consider donating to T2T.org at $11/month and keep the victims and their families in your thoughts this 9/11/26.