Annual Commemoration of the September 11 Attacks

Remarks by Susan Wohlforth

Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024

Good evening. Though I know many of you in the audience and many of you know me, for those of us who don’t know one another, my name is Susan Wohlforth and I am 9/11 widow.

When Frank Napolitano asked me if I would like to say a few words this evening I replied, “Of course!” I had no idea what I should or would say, but then I thought about the significance of this day and two things came to my mind. They are two simple but, to me, very powerful words: memory and gratitude.

The 9-11 Memorial in downtown Manhattan is an exceptional museum and place of remembrance. For me, the most revered and sacred area in the entire space is the blue wall created by the artist Tom Joyce.

It is literally at bedrock and behind it is the repository of victims’ remains. The wall is tiled in 2,983 watercolor squares which represent every 2001 and 1993 victim who died on those two fateful days — my husband, Buff Wohlforth, being one of them. Each square is its own shade of beautiful blue which represents the perfect cloudless sky we all witnessed on that innocent morning.

And written across those tiles are these words: “No day shall erase you from the memory of time.” So eloquently expressed centuries ago by the Roman poet, Virgil.

For my daughter Chloe and me, this wall and this quote resonate with the word memory, and also the words “never forget.” We all experience the color blue in personal and different ways, just as our memories of 9/11 are as different and personal as can be.

However, our individual recollections have an indelible and common point of reference, which is the collective memory of that fateful September day that we all share together.

It is why we join together on this anniversary as families, friends, even strangers, and as a greater community and nation.

It is why I stand here this evening on behalf of myself, my daughter, and fellow 9-11 families to express our gratitude for that shared recollection by simply saying, “thank you.”

We are grateful to the people of Greenwich, the people who make this community so special. Many of you have comforted us, lifted us, and supported us over all these years, and you continue to sustain us — because you remember. You never forget, even 23 years later.

And while you will always remember, it is so important that we explain to younger generations the tragedy of that day, to clarify what happened and to teach them the necessity of staying vigilant because sadly, the threat still exists. But it is equally important to show them the need to heal, to reflect, respect, and pay tribute. The need to remain compassionate, constructive, and kind.

I would like to thank our Town and State Officials, and the Boy Scouts and their leaders for joining us and supporting us every year and beyond.

But most of all, I would like to thank the wonderful men and women of the Glenville Volunteer Fire Department who, from the first anniversary 22 years ago, have planned this somber but uplifting evening of remembrance, and who worked tirelessly to obtain for our town a section of a remaining steel beam from Ground Zero. You are true heroes.

I would like to thank all firefighters, all police officers, EMTs, and those who serve in our military branches. Please know how much your pledge to protect us and our democracy is deeply appreciated. We know that the sacrifices you make and the work you do occur on a daily basis and is often of heroic proportions. You must be acknowledged, and again, you have our profound gratitude.

When I think about how many first responders rushed into the World Trade Center without an ounce of hesitation, without a thought for their own safety, how can I — we — not be grateful? When I think about them and those who worked months and even years at Ground Zero and who are now either gravely ill or have died, how can I — we — not be grateful? Of course we are, and we always will be.

Finally, I would just like to say to everyone here, everyone I referenced tonight and anyone I might have omitted by mistake, please know you have our heartfelt gratitude for making sure that no day shall erase our loved ones nor the tragic events of September 11th from the memory of time.

Thank you.

Thank you, Susan Wohlforth, for speaking at the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company Annual Commemoration of the September 11 Attacks