Westchester Insider: Westchester County: PHOTO/VIDEO: WESTCHESTER COUNTY HONORS RESIDENTS LOST ON 9/11 AND VICTIMS OF 9/11-RELATED ILLNESSES AT PRAYER VIGIL.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY HONORS RESIDENTS LOST ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, AND VICTIMS OF 9/11-RELATED ILLNESSES AT AN INTERFAITH PRAYER VIGIL.

Prayer Vigil Part of a Two-Day Memorial Event to Honor Victims and Promote Unity.

Watch the Interfaith Prayer Vigil Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz7VVslWlyA

(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County held the first of two memorials to honor the memory of residents who perished in the tragic events of September 11, 2001, as well as those who have succumbed to 9/11-related illnesses. The first event featured an Interfaith Prayer Vigil with prayers from:

·         Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Pogue
Pastor of Greater Centennial A.M.E Zion Church
United Black Clergy President
Presiding Elder of Westchester District

·         Rabbi Evan Hoffman

Immediate Past President of the Westchester Board of Rabbis

·         Arun Bhagirath
Hindu Temple of Tri-State, White Plains

·         Shaffieq Chace
Islamic Center of New Rochelle

The Program also included a benediction by Elder Mark McLean, Pastor of Generations Church and President of the Inter-Religious Coalition of New Rochelle as well as a ceremonial wreath-laying at the 9/11 steel beam from the Twin Towers.

This year, eight additional names were added to the 9/11 First Responders Memorial, remembering those who have passed from of 9/11-related illnesses, bringing the total 81.  The names are:

• FF John G. Daly Jr.
  Scarsdale FD
• Det. William J. Keating
  NYPD
• Chief Daniel J. Raftery
  Greenville Fire District
• Ronald J. Pennella
  Construction Industry
• FF George D. Ewell Jr.
  Mount Vernon Fire Department
• John Lunapiena
  NYSDOT
• FF Ronald N. LaManna
  Yonkers FD
• Senior Investigator George L. Johansen
  NYSP

Everyone honored on the Memorial either resided in Westchester County, worked in the County, or volunteered within Westchester.