Vella-Wilkinson, Picozzi Announce Sept. 11 Service

STATE HOUSE — Rep. Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson (D-Dist. 21, Warwick) and Mayor Frank Picozzi have invited the public to a memorial Sept. 11 service at the Sept. 11 Memorial Garden at the Oakland Beach Seawall to remember the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

“At a time when some elements of American history are being erased or sanitized, the city of Warwick continues to commemorate how three tragic hours took the lives of several Rhode Islanders with nearly 3,000 other victims,” said Representative Vella-Wilkinson. “We will not forget. Events such as these serve to bring us closer together as we honor those who fell.”

During Warwick’s 2014 observance of the Sept. 11 attacks, Steven Colantuono, a City Councilor at the time, spoke to the crowd about the effect on the nation of that day’s events, including an airliner flown into each of the World Trade Towers, one flown into the Pentagon and a fourth believed to be headed toward Washington DC which crashed in Pennsylvania when passengers fought the hijackers.

“The events of 9/11 sparked in us a great deal of fear, a great deal of anger and in the end, a lot of sadness. But it also brought to us a great deal of resolve, a great deal of pride and a great deal of respect. Respect for those people who serve in uniform. First responders, veterans and our active military members. It’s important for us to remember their service, not only on that day, but their service every day and in past days. And I think this day, 9/11, helps us to remember all of the sacrifices and the ultimate sacrifices,” Colantuono said at the time.

The event will take place Monday, Sept. 11, at 10:28 a.m. to commemorate the time when the second tower collapsed. There will be a joint police and firefighter honor guard. Speakers include Judy Cobden, a Ground Zero survivor; Sal Caiozzo, founder of “Poisoned Veterans” and commander for the Central Rhode Island Chapter of Disabled American Veterans, and others.

The ceremony, free and open to the public, will honor the deceased, survivors and their families while expressing respect and thanks to all first responders. Police, firefighters and veterans are asked to wear a hat or shirt to represent their affiliation.

Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.