Town should should organize and host 9/11 ceremony

To the Editor, I am writing to you today as a dedicated resident and taxpayer of the Town of Bethlehem to express a deeply held concern regarding our community's annual calendar. As September approaches, my thoughts inevitably turn to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. That dark day shook our nation, altered the course of history, and profoundly touched the entire world. Almost twenty-five years later, it increasingly feels as though the memory of that day is fading from our collective consciousness—a shift that I believe our town must actively work to prevent. I strongly request and urge the Town Board to organize and host an official annual September 11 Memorial Ceremony. It is vital for our community to gather, pay tribute to the innocent lives lost, honor the heroics of our first responders, and remember the unity that bound us together in the aftermath. As Americans, we carry a sacred duty to ensure we "Never Forget"—not only out of respect for those we lost, but to remind future generations of the resilience, vigilance, and values required to keep our nation safe. Our local government has a unique opportunity to lead by example. A solemn, dignified ceremony right here in Bethlehem would offer residents a meaningful place to reflect, heal, and reaffirm our strength as a community. To the town board: thank you for your leadership, your service to our town, and your thoughtful consideration of this important request. I look forward to hearing your plans for honoring this pivotal moment in American history. Haim Ben-Eliezer, Bethlehem