NYS Fair remembers those lost on 9/11 and in Pan Am Flight 103 explosion
Story Created:
Aug 25, 2011 at 6:45 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Aug 25, 2011 at 6:45 PM EDT
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WKTV) - While the New York State Fair brings smiles and laughter to the faces of fair goers, on Thursday, a new exhibit and memorial dedication set a more sobering tone.
Honoring the ten year anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001, a new exhibit at the fair pays tribute to victims who lost their lives on that day. Also debuting Thursday, a new memorial for the 270 people including 35 Syracuse University students who were killed in the Pan Am Flight 103 explosion.
Housed in a tent, fair goers can see a piece of the antennae that was on top of the North tower that crumbled on September 11 and one of the Port Authority trucks that first responded when the terrorist attacks happened.
Those who visited the exhibit on Thursday say it is a wonderful memorial of the events that occurred and an honorable tribute to those who perished.
"I've thought about it. Next month is going to the 10 year anniversary, so it's going to be touching for New Yorkers," said Jonathon Sundberg from Floyd.
Floyd Seymour, a member of the Fire Department in Earlville, was also moved by the exhibit.
"Whether it's a fire or whatever it is, when you lose people's lives that's a tragedy," said Seymour.
Also Thursday at the fair, local officials and family members of those killed on Pan Am flight 103 gathered to dedicate a new memorial.
The memorial is etched with the names of the 270 victims, including 35 Syracuse University students who were killed when a bomb exploded on a flight from London to New York City in 1988.
Suzanne Miazga, from Marcy, lost her life during the explosion. Her brother-in-law was the keynote speaker at the dedication, emphasizing the importance of never forgetting those who lost their lives on the flight.
"To the families of Pan Am 103, it's a permanent memorial. People will always have an opportunity to remember. People will come by it. It might have slipped their mind or they may have forgotten what tragic sacrifices the families have made. They will be refreshed and always reminded," said Bill Smith, brother-in-law of Miazga.
The man responsible for the bombing of the Pan Am flight was serving a life sentence, but was released from jail in Scotland two years ago because of terminal cancer. He actually appeared in Tripoli a month ago at a pro-Ghaddafi rally.
Michael LeNasa, the Chairman of the Eagle Association which oversees the memorial, says he is happy there is now a place for family and community members to pay tribute to the victims.
"The memorial is open 24/7, 365 days a year. People can come up and look at it at any time. They can look at the memorial and pay homage to it and so is the same with all of the veteran memorials here," said LeNasa.
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