Community Remembers Celoron Native Who Died In 9/11 Attack

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MAYVILLE – 9/11, even 19 years removed, remains one of the most emotional events ever recorded in U.S. history, and one local official spent time Friday afternoon remembering a Celoron native who was aboard Flight 175 when it crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center. 

Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel told WNYNewsNow that he grew up with Amy King, who was tragically killed at the age of 29. Wendel says she was “always pleasant and polite.”

“I think she would be telling people, ‘Focus, get your head on right,” Wendel said when asked what King would say if she was still alive during the challenging 2020 year. “I think Amy would say is, ‘We are still humans and we still need to look out for one another. We need to be compassionate with those individuals,’ whether it’s the individuals who are perpetrating situations, and those who are entitled to be protected.”

Wendel explains that King was known to smile during rough times, adding that she would want people to unite rather than divide. He says he spent many summers with King and her family at Celoron Park.

Chautauqua County, along with the country as a whole, united on Sept. 12, 2001, according to Wendel. He says he hopes that the country can learn from 9/11 during the COVID-19 pandemic and other various issues that have risen this year.

The County Executive’s comments came following a 9/11 ceremony that was held outside of the Gerace Office Building in Mayville. Wendel, State Assemblyman Andy Goodell, State Senator George Borrello, and several others spoke during the event.