The New Hyde Park area joined the North Shore in remembering the lives lost during the attacks on the World Trade Center 21 years ago.
On Saturday, the New Hyde Park Fire Department held a remembrance ceremony on Jericho Turnpike.
Officials, including North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Councilman Dennis Walsh and Nassau County Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello, took part in the ceremony alongside village officials.
“I’m honored to attend the New Hyde Park Fire Department’s service at its beautiful Sept. 11 monument. I thank them for providing a place not only for their members but for the whole community to come and grieve together,” DeSena said.
“Sadly, the list of lost family members continues to grow as our heroic police and firefighters succumb to serious illnesses caused by exposure during post 9/11 recovery efforts. I saw a mother use this solemn ceremony and monument to reinforce to her young daughters what happened this day 21 years ago and many junior firefighters learning yet one more important community service that the New Hyde Park Fire Department provides. They help fulfill our promise to never forget.”
In Floral Park, the Board of Trustees joined the Fire Department at the Relic Memorial located in front of village hall to honor those who lost their lives.
At Manhasset Valley Park Sunday, North Hempstead held memorial services for the 56 North Hempstead residents who died in the attacks and the overall casualty list of the 2,996 who perished.
Political and religious leaders shared their memories of that terrible day during the event. The park’s Sept. 11 memorial, a 19-foot beam from the World Trade Center, served as a backdrop as residents and first responders in attendance looked on.
“No amount of words said can truly capture the horrors we witnessed on Sept. 11, 2001,” said DeSena. “It’s one of the few moments in history where all of us will forever have crystal clear memories of where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news.”
Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava led the program as council members recited the names of the victims from their districts. Attendees also observed two moments of silence at 8:46 a.m.. when Flight 11, slammed into the North Tower, and 9:03 a.m., when Flight 175 hit the South Tower.
Mayor Bonnie Parente of East Williston recited a resident’s poem, “Angels of America.” The St. Mary’s Chamber Choir also performed “America the Beautiful” and the National Anthem.
Rabbi Osher Kravitsky of Chabad of Great Neck was among the three religious leaders to speak. During his remarks, he spoke of community and the fragility of life.
“Each and every one of us is responsible for our own homes, our own communities, for each other,” said Kravitskty. “It’s very easy to blame others, but we need to be accountable. This is a wake-up call for us to love each other, to respect each other regardless of where we come from or where we are going. We’re all here in this modern world to make it better.”
Contributing reporting by Steven Keehner.
