Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, and others participate in a presentation of wreaths during a Sept. 11 memorial program held by the Broadalbin-Kennyetto Fire Company. Dusten Rader/Express Editor

By DUSTEN RADER
Express Editor

BROADALBIN — Broadalbin-Kennyetto Fire Company Assistant Chief Archie Rose left attendees of a Sept. 11 memorial program with this message: “Let us never forget. God bless America.”
Rose also quoted U.S. Air Force Maj. Heather Penney, who as a lieutenant was ordered to sacrifice herself by crashing her plane into United Airlines Flight 93 during the 2001 attack. He noted that the passengers on the flight fought back, causing the plane to crash and therefore she did not have to fulfill her mission. He stated: “There are things in this world that are more important than ourselves. Freedom. The Constitution of the United States. Our way of life. Mom, baseball, apple pie; these things and so many more make us uniquely American. We belong to something greater than ourselves. As complex and diverse and discordant as it is, this thing, this idea called America, binds us together in citizenship and community and brotherhood.”

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik speaks during a Sept. 11 memorial program held by the Broadalbin-Kennyetto Fire Company.
Dusten Rader/Express Editor

Rose was one of several speakers during the memorial service, including others such as Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and Broadalbin Mayor Larry Cornell.
“”We must never forget what happened on Sept. 11,” Stefanik said. “On today’s 17th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, let us reflect on the thousands of American mothers, fathers, and children whose lives were taken from us that day by the cowardly acts of these brutal terrorists. Let us remember our unity, the unity of our nation in response to these attacks. Let us remember that the threat of global terrorism is still very real, and that we still have thousands of troops deployed around the world today. Let us always remember to thank our first responders and let us again, united, resolve to do everything we can to support those troops and these first responders — especially those who are here today who work tirelessly each and every day to keep our community safe.”
In addition to speeches, attendees watched as a procession unfolded, a lowering and raising of a ceremonial flag, a reading of the fireman’s prayer, a tolling of the bell, a rifle squad firing, a bagpiper, the singing of the national anthem and “God Bless America,” as well as a candle lighting ceremony.