Last year the 911 Memorial site on the Burlington Town Common received a major overhaul for the 20th anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001. The memorial area includes plaques with the names of Burlington’s fallen on, or in the aftermath of, that fateful day.
In one of his last duties as a member of the Select Board, former Veterans Service Director for the Town of Burlington, Bob Hogan added another piece to the 911 Memorial that he helped establish.
“It came to our attention that a Burlington resident, a graduate of Burlington High School Ryan Fortini who joined the New York State Police was at ground zero, after the towers came down. He was searching for survivors,” explained Hogan.
Fortini unfortunately contracted cancer due to his exposure at the site and passed away on January 1, 2020.
“We had a plaque made up and this committee approved adding Ryan’s name to the flagpole. We need a vote from this board approving this addition,” said Hogan, to which he made the motion.
In discussion, board member Mike Runyan thanked Hogan for bringing Fortiin’s unfortunate passing to the board’s attention.
“He’s certainly deserving of a spot on our 911 flagpole,” remarked Runyan.
Board Chair Jim Tigges noted that Hogan was one of the people who drove down to New York to pick up the two rails from the World Trade Center wreckage which are now on display as part of Burlington’s 911 Memorial across from the Fire Station.
The Select Board approved Hogan’s motion by a vote of 5-0-0.
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