West Haven remembers lives lost on 9/11

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- There were a number of ceremonies around Connecticut Tuesday to remember the victims of 9/11. One of them was in West Haven where 11 years hasn't dulled the pain.

It was a solemn night in West Haven, along Long Island Sound.

A crowd gathered on Bradley Point to remember together that awful day that is impossible to forget.

"This was a day that we saw the worst and the best of humanity," said Fire Chief James P. O'Brien, West Haven FD. "As a nation we persevered as we always have when our way of life has been threatened, but on this day there were 2,977 victims murdered on this day 11 years ago."

Along with raising a flag and lighting candles, a wreath was placed at the Richard S. Gabrielle Memorial.

He was the lone victim from West Haven. He was working on the 78th floor of the south tower when the plane hit.

As people from his community gather on this 11th anniversary, the question that still hangs in the air is why.

"Is it because of our freedom," asked Mayor John Picard. "Is it because we believe that all people are created equal? That whether you are male or female, or whatever race or ethnicity, that you have the opportunity to succeed? That you can be anything you want?"

Questions that for most of us will never have a good enough answer.