Vigils In the terrible aftermath of Sept. 11, people across America shared their feelings of sorrow, hope and fear on an unprecedented scale.  Seeking
to comfort one another and seeking to be comforted, Americans sought
each other out, gathering in groups of a few to crowds of thousands,
often by candlelight - vigils of hope, remembrance and solidarity.Across our region, hit hard by the loss of dozens of friends, neighbors and loved ones, the outpouring of grief and support manifested itself in the light of thousands of candle-lit faces, in communities large and small.  In
Newburgh and Middletown, emotional ceremonies brought together people
from all walks of life, people who might not have looked twice at
each other before the tragedy.In Washingtonville, home to many New York City firefighters and police officers, a massive crowd of heartbroken residents gathered to mourn, to embrace one another and to remember.  In
the Town of Warwick's three villages, residents turned out in force
to show their solidarity, to share their pain, making an ever-widening
circle of light, nurturing the power of love to heal. In Greenwood
Lake, more than 1,000 gathered within days of the attacks - a stunning
show of strength and unity.Even in tiny Unionville, more than half the population lit candles, sang and prayed to honor the dead and send hope to the families of the missing.  And
away from the spotlights and the news coverage, in living rooms and
backyards, even in the sight of a single candle burning in a darkened
window, countless untold stories of sorrow, remembrance, strength
and healing continue to unfold.Dave Richardson © 2001 Orange County Publications, a division of Ottaway Newspapers Inc., all rights reserved. |