9/11 memorial concert held at College of Staten Island
A free memorial concert was held Saturday night at the College of Staten Island to pay tribute to those killed on 9/11.
Organizers say they wanted to remember the victims through song as we approach 25 years since the attacks.
Staten Islanders performed songs from every decade to honor other Staten Islanders who were killed or died as a result of the 9/11 terror attacks.
Samantha Chiodo sang her mom's favorite song to remember her firefighter father.
"My father was a New York City firefighter for 25 years. He was from Engine 226, State Street, Brooklyn, and he was the best man I've ever known in my life," Chiodo said. "Taken from us due to 9/11-related illness three years ago, and I miss him every day."
She wears his engine number on a necklace.
"His number follows me everywhere, 226, so that's why I'm wearing it today, too," she said. "It's actually my sister's badge number now. She's a New York City firefighter, as well."
Dennis McKeon, who organized the concert, says he wanted to bring the community together and take their minds off the pain. His organization works with 9/11 family members.
"Where people could hear songs that maybe their loved ones liked," he said. "We reached out to family members to say, did your family have a favorite song?"
His son James McKeon was among the performers.
"If they they're sitting there, you know, remembering in solemness or if they're clapping along, singing," he said.
The College of Staten Island has its own memorial bearing the names of alumni who died in the attacks. The college plans on holding its own 9/11 memorial service on Sept. 10.
