On September 11, 2025, the City of Peekskill gathered at Riverfront Green to mark the 24th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives, including 441 first responders. The evening air carried a solemn quiet, broken only by the soft lapping of the Hudson River and the murmur of residents and community leaders assembling to honor those lost. Chief of Police Leo Dylewski opened the ceremony, leading the Pledge of Allegiance and establishing a tone of reverence that would carry through the event.
From there, Reverend James Perry, Senior Pastor of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, invited the crowd into a moment of collective prayer. His invocation wove together comfort, unity, and remembrance: “God of love, mercy, grace, and unity, you who create, redeem, and sustain, even in this moment, come and be a comfort. Come to your children of many nations and many faiths. Come as you did that day to support those we may have lost… If someone needs to cry, be their comfort. If someone needs help, be their answer.” As he spoke, attendees joined hearts and hands, a tangible sense of solidarity bridging past and present grief. Perry reminded everyone to support one another, highlighting that remembrance is as much about living together as it is about honoring the dead.
Following this spiritual opening, Deputy Mayor Patricia Riley read remarks on behalf of Mayor Vivian McKenzie, who could not attend due to her husband’s hospitalization. Riley shared a poem the mayor had selected for this solemn occasion, Your Spirit by Tram-Tiara T. Von Reichenbach: “I will think of your courage for your country. No matter where I am, your spirit will be beside me, for I know that no matter what, you will always be with me.” The words lingered over the gathering, connecting individual acts of courage to the communal remembrance taking place along the riverfront.
The ceremony moved seamlessly into the act of placing wreaths at the Samuel Oitice Heroes Remembered Memorial, honoring fallen firefighters and first responders. Bells tolled and a moment of silence recognized those who had given their lives and the families still mourning. The sound of bagpipes and drums from The Pipes and Drums of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester Band rose and fell, echoing across the Hudson and creating a haunting, yet consoling, soundtrack to the day.
Words of Courage and Faith
Pastor Michael Davis of the First Baptist Church of Peekskill stepped forward to reflect on the heroism displayed that day. He spoke of ordinary citizens who became extraordinary through their courage and compassion, preventing further devastation and helping others in the darkest hours. “Today we pause not only to remember the loss of 3,000 people, but also 441 first responders. God has given us a place to push back the darkness. We see people respond with courage on a dark day,” Davis said, drawing parallels between Christ’s sacrificial love and the selfless bravery of those who ran toward danger to save lives.
Chief Leo Dylewski then offered personal reflections that tied the evening’s collective grief to intimate human stories. He shared a conversation with David Russell, a close friend and retired FDNY lieutenant from Peekskill who responded on September 11 and later developed cancer due to his work at Ground Zero. Russell’s ongoing health struggles, including surgeries on his ear and arm, reminded Dylewski and the community of the lingering impact of that day. During his morning run, a yearly ritual of remembrance, Dylewski thought of colleagues who were no longer alive, and how their service exemplified selflessness: “Today people often seek recognition for themselves, but those who responded that day did not look inward; they focused entirely on serving others.”
The ceremony also honored the memory of Jean Oitice, who passed away on January 27, 2025. Ottice helped create the foundation that funded the monument commemorating fallen firefighters and worked tirelessly to instill a commitment to service in younger generations. A Peekskill firefighter spoke on behalf of the department, noting that while Oitice is gone, her mission continues: “In her name, all of us from the Fire Department honor those who serve and ensure the legacy of this monument lives on.” Plans for a second Peekskill Fallen Firefighters Foundation are underway for October, continuing the cycle of remembrance and community engagement that Oitice championed.
A Community United
As the evening progressed, reflections from attendees intertwined with the ceremony’s rituals. On his Facebook page, Peekskill Councilman Brian Fassett shared, “This evening, I attended the 9/11 memorial service in Peekskill, a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of that tragic day. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has dedicated themselves to preserving the memories of 9/11 and its many heartbreaking consequences.”
The ceremony concluded with the echoing notes of the bagpipes as the sun dipped lower over the river. Wreaths lay at the Samuel Oitice Heroes Remembered Memorial, a tangible symbol of remembrance. In Peekskill, 24 years later, the courage, compassion, and unity that defined September 11 continue to resonate through the city, its people, and the acts of everyday heroism that follow in the footsteps of those remembered.
