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WCBS 880 9/11 Series: Former Gov. John Rowland Visits Conn. 9/11 Memorial

WESTPORT, Conn. (WCBS 880) - In the days after the attacks of 9/11, now former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland says it became clear to him that making himself available to the families of victims -- offering and finding them help with ways to cope with the confusion and loss -- was key to his role as governor.

WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau On The Story

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"Rudy Giuliani showed us just be there, be strong, be supportive, and just do everything you can for the families," he told WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau. "They had no finality and there was total uncertainty and that's the hard thing to get your arms around. How does that family know that they've lost a loved one? Who finally says to them 'He's gone' or 'She's gone.'"

RELATED: WCBS 880 Presents 9/11 - Ten Years Later

Rowland chose Connecticut's 9/11 memorial site -- overlooking Long Island Sound with Ground Zero in the distance -- for its beauty and simplicity.

On Sept. 11, 2001, people stood in that spot in disbelief as they watched the Twin Towers fall.

Connecticut 9/11 Memorial Site Westport
Connecticut 9/11 Memorial Site at Sherwood Island State Park - Westport, CT - Sep 6, 2003 (credit: Friends of Sherwood Island State Park)

Every anniversary, survivors and mourners gather there at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, to reflect on Connecticut's lost souls - their names etched on granite stones in a serene setting.

"I've talked to a lot of families over the years that come here, and they say, 'You know what? Just right,'" he said.

Do you feel the site for the Connecticut 9/11 memorial was appropriate? Sound off below.

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