Harbor Club Residents Host September 11th Remembrance Walk to Honor Lives Lost

Over 50 residents of Harbor Club came together on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, for a special Remembrance Walk to honor the 2,977 lives lost during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The event was organized by Harbor Club resident and Greene County Firefighter, Bob Welsh, and took participants on a meaningful mile and a half journey that began at the Clubhouse cart barn and ended at the Harbor Club guard gate.

The walk, which commenced early in the morning, concluded at the gate house at 8:46 AM—the exact time the first plane struck the World Trade Center’s North Tower in 2001. Upon arrival, Welsh led the group in a moment of silence, paying respects to the fallen, while the American flag was lowered to half-mast.

Residents shared personal reflections on the significance of the walk. Harbor Club resident, Debbie Demco, emphasized the importance of continuing the tradition, stating, “Every year is a new year to remember. We have to keep remembering.” She also expressed hope that more residents would participate in future walks, underscoring the event’s value in fostering collective remembrance.

Roxanne Ryan, another participant, shared her thoughts on the communal nature of the walk, saying, “This is a great community event that brings people together. We have to remember that on some of the darkest days you have to hope and pray like today, that you get through it. Here we are, looking back 23 years, and we were strong enough to pull through it, not only as a community but as a nation.”

The Remembrance Walk had a humble beginning in 2023, when Welsh walked the route alone, dressed in full turnout gear. This year, Welsh extended the invitation to his neighbors, fostering a larger community gathering. When asked why he decided to open the event to his fellow residents, Welsh responded, “In my lifetime, too many tragic events have happened, and people seem to forget. I was worried that we as a community were forgetting 9/11. I think opening the walk up to our community is a great thing. We get to remember the fallen and we also get to meet our neighbors.”

Welsh also took the opportunity to honor the 400 firefighters, police officers, and first responders who lost their lives in the attacks, noting, “I lost a dear firefighter friend just last week, and it has been difficult. When you think about the fact that over 400 first responders died when the towers came down… this is just a nice way to honor and remember all the lives lost that day. I hope we never forget it.”

The September 11th Remembrance Walk was a powerful tribute, highlighting the strength and unity of both the Harbor Club community and the nation in remembering one of the most tragic days in American history.