9/11 Ceremony Draws Mournful Crowd On LI: 'The Sky Is the Same'

PECONIC, NY— "The weather is exactly the same. The sky is the same bright blue." The words echoed, again and again, as a crowd of more than 200 gathered at Jean Cochran Park in Peconic Saturday morning, placing 2,977 flags for the lost on green grass — and joining together for a moving ceremony that marked the 20 years since 9/11.

Tracey Orlando, who heads up the Southold Town 9/11 memorial committee, led the ceremony, which included Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, students from local high schools, and members of the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, she said.

After the event, a screening of "Ripples: 9/11 Reflections From the North Fork, NY," the documentary created by Girl Scout Ellie Alloway, 16, a senior at Southold High School, was shown at the Southold Town Recreation Center on Peconic Lane.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell spoke to the crowd. "Never forget," he said. "The weather was the same, the temperature was the same."

Russell recalled the worry of that day, with one of his best friends in the South Tower, whose husband was frantically trying to reach her.

"When the North Tower was hit, an official on the loudspeaker told the people in the South Tower to stay in place. She didn't listen. She made it out and survived," he said.

She lost 175 colleagues on 9/11, Russell said.

Russell also remembered a neighbor whom he used to join for weekend walks, strolling his small child around the street, his golden retriever in tow.

"Then in an instant, those walks were no more," Russell said.

Russell said 9/11 was also a day to remember the heroism of first responders, firemen, police officers; the bravery of the 40 that stopped hijackers from crashing in Washington, DC.

"It's important that the message carries forward to a new generation. That the new generation understands the horrors of the day, and the resiliency and heroism of this nation," Russell said. "It's important that we bring forward the stories of 9/11."

To that end, Russell commended Ellie Alloway for her documentary.

Ellie devoted an entire year to interviewing those whose lives were changed forever on the day the twin towers fell, documenting their stories for posterity.

Orlando said the planning for the 20-year memorial event began two years ago when Ellie Alloway asked her to serve as her mentor for her Girl Scout gold award — and the idea for a documentary was born. "There is even more of a need to educate the younger generations on 9/11," Orlando said.

"We couldn't have expected while planning a year ago just how poignant her documentary would be," Orlando said.

Orlando added: "We will forever miss our loved ones, our fellow Americans. On the 20th anniversary let us commit ourselves to live and achieve for them. Let us be the light within that shines. They will live through our love, joy, and friendship with one another That's what makes us Americans."

Saturday's event was imbued with symbolism, including the ringing of 20 bells at the time each building fell, Orlando said.

In addition, wreaths were laid not just for all those who died on 9/11, but also, for those who have died since due to 9/11-related illnesses, Orlando said.

"We decided to add 13 red flowers to represent the 13 who were killed in Afghanistan and 20 blue flowers for the 20 years," she said.

The North Fork NJROTC performed the Color Guard, Landon Bennett of the NJROTC sang the "National Anthem." An invocation was given by Rev. Peter Kelley of the Southold Presbyterian Church.

In addition, "Amazing Grace" was played by Girl Scouts Annie Antonucci, Evelyn Helinksi, and Macy Carter, "America the Beautiful" was performed by members of the Mattituck select chorus under the direction of Jacob Fowle, and "God Bless America" was sung by Isabel Avere. Chief Amos Meringer of the Cutchogue Fire Department rang the solemn bells.

A laying of the wreath was also done by the Girl Scouts.

Worn over time, the 2,977 flags needed to be replaced, as they are every five years, Orlando said, thanking the Mattituck Lions Club, Southold PBA, the Haugland Group, Kelly J. Fogarty CPA, and a donor who wishes to be anonymous for opening their hearts to help.

Similar memorials were held on 9/11 across Long Island, with many reflecting on the hauntingly blue sky.

"It really hit me this year. When I saw that sky I was right back there," Melissa Berman of Montauk wrote. "The cerulean sky appeared today. The exact same sky. The sky is the same. We are not."