Select a Different 9/11 Reader Following the Declaration of Independence vandalism
Select a Different 9/11 Reader Following the Declaration of Independence vandalism
The Issue
We respectfully ask Putnam County 9/11 committee and County Executive Kevin Byrne to select a different individual to read the names of our local 9/11 victims during this year’s memorial ceremony.
The September 11 memorial is one of the most solemn events held in our community. It is a day to honor the innocent lives that were taken in the Islamic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, to remember the courage of the first responders and innocent civilians who sacrificed so much, and to stand united in our shared love for our country and the freedoms it represents.
Many members of our community believe that anyone chosen to participate in such a sacred ceremony should exemplify respect for America’s history, symbols, and values. Because of the damage , disrespect and vandalism of Putnam County’s replica of the Declaration of Independence by Norma Pereira ( the wife of Eric Gross) His public support for his wife, some residents believe his participation as the reader of the victims’ names would detract from the purpose of the ceremony and be divisive.
This request is not about denying anyone’s constitutional rights or preventing them from expressing their personal views. Rather, it is about ensuring that the individual selected for this particular role can unite the community during a day of remembrance and reflection.
The attacks of September 11 were carried out by members of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda, whose extremist ideology resulted in the murder of nearly 3,000 innocent people. On that day, Americans from every background came together in defense of our nation and its ideals.
For that reason, we believe the honor of reading the names of the victims should be reserved for someone with a direct connection to the events—such as a surviving family member of a victim, a first responder, a veteran, or another individual whose service and commitment can help unite our community in remembrance.
Putnam County has long been known for its patriotism and its respect for the principles of liberty, faith, and service. We ask our county leaders to select a reader who reflects those values and whose participation will allow the focus to remain where it belongs: on honoring the victims, their families, and the heroes of September 11.
200
The Issue
We respectfully ask Putnam County 9/11 committee and County Executive Kevin Byrne to select a different individual to read the names of our local 9/11 victims during this year’s memorial ceremony.
The September 11 memorial is one of the most solemn events held in our community. It is a day to honor the innocent lives that were taken in the Islamic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, to remember the courage of the first responders and innocent civilians who sacrificed so much, and to stand united in our shared love for our country and the freedoms it represents.
Many members of our community believe that anyone chosen to participate in such a sacred ceremony should exemplify respect for America’s history, symbols, and values. Because of the damage , disrespect and vandalism of Putnam County’s replica of the Declaration of Independence by Norma Pereira ( the wife of Eric Gross) His public support for his wife, some residents believe his participation as the reader of the victims’ names would detract from the purpose of the ceremony and be divisive.
This request is not about denying anyone’s constitutional rights or preventing them from expressing their personal views. Rather, it is about ensuring that the individual selected for this particular role can unite the community during a day of remembrance and reflection.
The attacks of September 11 were carried out by members of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda, whose extremist ideology resulted in the murder of nearly 3,000 innocent people. On that day, Americans from every background came together in defense of our nation and its ideals.
For that reason, we believe the honor of reading the names of the victims should be reserved for someone with a direct connection to the events—such as a surviving family member of a victim, a first responder, a veteran, or another individual whose service and commitment can help unite our community in remembrance.
Putnam County has long been known for its patriotism and its respect for the principles of liberty, faith, and service. We ask our county leaders to select a reader who reflects those values and whose participation will allow the focus to remain where it belongs: on honoring the victims, their families, and the heroes of September 11.
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on July 28, 2026