Many Hudson Valley families who lost loved ones 22 years ago on this day gathered at Kensico Dam Plaza for Westchester County's 9/11 Memorial Service.

The Rising, a memorial by architect Frederick Schwartz, holds special significance for individuals like Duane Bery, who visits to honor his friend, Paul Fiori, one of the 123 Westchester residents lost in the attacks. Fiori, who had just started working at Cantor Fitzgerald, was in the towers on that fateful day. Bery says he likes to come to the plaza to remember happier days.

"The whole town knew him, loved him. This was our playground growing up," he said.

In 2021, a new section was added to honor Westchester's first responders who succumbed to 9/11-related illnesses, bringing the total to 73. The memorial also features a beam from the towers and a fallen memorial walkway dedicated to Westchester soldiers and Marines lost in Afghanistan and Iraq. Each year, Westchester County holds a memorial service to commemorate all those from the area affected by 9/11. The pain of that day, even 22 years later, remains deeply felt.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer emphasized the personal impact of the tragedy, recounting friends lost in the towers and on the planes.

"We had friends who were in the towers, and in some cases on the planes, so it's a terrible tragedy for America,” he said. “In Westchester, people that you knew that died makes it very personal. You never forget this day as long as you live."

News 12's Jonathan Gordon attended the ceremony and spoke with first responders.