By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — People from around the state gathered at Sherwood Island State Park on Thursday afternoon to remember those lost in the Sept. 11 terror attacks 21 years ago.

Rabbi Michael Friedman of Temple Israel in Westport gave an opening prayer, focusing on memories.

“We come to this place in the hopes that you, God, will help us remember our dear ones,” he said. “You’ll help us remember the curve of their smile, the touch of their hand, the timbre of their voice.”

“And so too, God, we ask you to help us recall the heroism of the first responders, who died in service of others,” Friedman said.

The park is the site of the state’s 9/11 memorial to the 161 victims with ties to Connecticut.

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, another speaker at the ceremony, said, “We gather with heavy hearts to mourn 161 victims with ties to our beautiful state, who were killed on Sept. 11.”

“This year marks the 21^st anniversary of that terrible day when we lost so much, and we’re reminded how vulnerable we are, and how precious our time with each other truly is,” she said.

Kathryn Hebert spoke about her brother, Adam J. Lewis, who worked in Tower Two of the World Trade Center, which was destroyed when terrorists flew a hijacked jetliner into the structure that day. She said Lewis lit up a room when he walked in.

“He loved his four kids, his family and life itself,” Hebert said. “He loved people.”

Four other women who lost loved ones took turns reading the 161 names of people with ties to Connecticut who were lost in the attacks.

They were Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police Officer Alexandra Blackwell, whose father, Christopher J. Blackwell, was an FDNY firefighter; Jean Coleman, who lost her sons Keith Eugene Coleman and Scott Thomas Coleman, at the World Trade Center; Barbara Theurkauf, who lost her brother Thomas Theurkauf at the World Trade Center; and Kathryn Hanson Barrere, who lost her brother, Peter Burton Hanson, sister-in-law Sue Kim Hanson and niece Christine Lee Hanson, who were aboard one of the planes flown into the towers.

A bugler blew taps.

The Rev. Alison Patton of Saugatuck Congregational Church gave the benediction.

“Go from this place, grateful for those memories that we hold dear, more determined to live lives worthy of those we love and miss, and ready to serve,” Patton said. “And may the holy one who hears our cries, catches our tears, transforms our sorrow and inspires our vision, may that one bless, keep and guide us all. Amen.”

Thane Grauel, executive editor, grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond more than three decades. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.