The state has made arrangements to bring Connecticut residents who lost family members in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center to New York for Wednesday’s anniversary ceremony.
Buses will leave “at the crack of dawn” from New Haven and Stamford so that family members can attend the event, which includes moments of silence, the reading of victims names, historic addresses and other readings at the times jetliners struck the towers and when the buildings fell.
“We’re trying to allow families to worry about their own emotional well-being that day and nothing else,” said Brian Mattiello, who oversees the state Office of Family Support. “They can leave the logistics of getting in and out of New York to us, that is the pledge from the governor to them.”
Seventy-two Connecticut residents died in the collapse of the Trade Center towers and 149 victims had immediate families that live in Connecticut, Mattiello said.
Two busloads of people have signed up for the trip, and more busses may be added if others express interest, Mattiello said.
The buses will make two trips back to Connecticut, one for those who wish to leave after the morning ceremony and another for anyone who wants to stay for Wednesday night’s lighting of the eternal flame in Battery Park, Mattiello said.
Catholic Charities of Fairfield County will pay for the bus trip.
–Associated Press