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25 years later

County honors fallen heroes, others suffering following attacks

By GREGORY BACON 3 min read

MAYVILLE - Hanover Town Councilman Bernie Feldmann is currently in Pittsburgh battling cancer. A retired state trooper, he went to New York City, shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and the cancer is a result from his time working there.

On Friday, area elected leaders gathered in Mayville to remember what happened 25 years ago.

One of those who spoke was state Sen. George Borrello (R-Sunset Bay).

"Even now after the deaths of that day of 2,977 people, there are still people suffering. People we all know, like my friend Bernie Feldmann who’s battling cancer right now, directly related to his service at Ground Zero," Borrello said. "These are people who are still suffering."

County Executive PJ Wendel cited national studies that show there have been 9,400 people who have died from 9/11-related injuries or illnesses, and another 54,000 people who have been diagnosed with cancer as a result of working in Ground Zero.

"There is no way, those who planned that cowardly attack could have imagined that 25 years later, people are still dying by the hundreds," he said. "Like everyone said, don't ever forget."

Wendel spoke about Celoron native Amy King, whom he knew personally. She was a United Airlines flight attendant who was killed when United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

"Remember Amy. She was one of us, from this area," Wendel said. "Amy's family is here today and I deeply appreciate them being here."

Another person who spoke during the ceremony was Sgt. Joe Gullo, who was the first Army Reservist deployed to Afghanistan from Chautauqua County. "We've got to keep this day alive. There was so much death that day, but we've got to keep this day and dates, and the names, and everybody alive," he said.

County Veterans Service Agency Director Michael Rauh noted that America needs to continue to care for those who suffered following their service. "As a nation, we have a duty to take care of those police, fire, and first responders who charged in the chaos to save lives. Similarly we have a duty to take care of our veterans who were injured in service, who suffered diseases caused by Agent Orange in Vietnam, Thailand, and other places," he said.

Sheriff Jim Quattrone said it's important that people not give up. "We have to have hope. We need unity and we need peace. We have to set our differences aside," he said.

Among those in the crowd who attended the service in Mayville was James Feldmann, a county employee and son of Bernie Feldmann.

James said his father's condition is improving.

"He had chemo earlier this week and had some scans that are showing some positive progress for his cancer. We're taking it day-by-day, but he's gaining weight, and looking more like himself. He's got a long road ahead of him, but it's moving in the right direction," he said.

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