Nassau Leaders Reflect on Sept. 11

Image: Town of North Hempstead

Thirteen years of reflection have not dimmed the memory of the day whose skies were brilliant blue but changed America forever. On Long Island, leaders reflected on Sept. 11.

“Thirteen years later you still see the traumatic effect September 11th has on the victims’ families,” Rep. Peter King, R-Massapequa, posted on Facebook. “They can never have a private grieving. It will always be public. Nobody in any city in America should ever have to go through that.”

Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives on Sept. 11, many from Nassau County.

“We share the grief of 349 Nassau County families whose lives were forever changed and remember and give thanks to 18 Nassau County firefighters who, did not run from, but ran into danger in order to administer aid to the innocent victims,” Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano said. “We also remember those who continue to give their lives from post 9/11 injuries and who continue to fight the global war on terrorism.”

Across Long Island, schools, villages, houses of worship and more prepared to honor the fallen.

“Our tight-knit community here in the Town of North Hempstead lost 56 residents on 9-11 and the world was forever changed,” North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth told Patch, after the town’s memorial service, which was this year at Mary Jane Davies Green in Manhasset.

“We all have a tremendous responsibility to remember this day’s events and to preserve and fight for the ideals that we as Americans hold in highest regard–our freedom and humanity​,” she added​. ​”​Each year our community comes together in a meaningful ceremony to remember and honor all the victims and heroes of that fateful day.”

In the City of Glen Cove, Mayor Reggie Spinello pointed out how Sept. 11, 2001, started out like any other day.

“Just like this morning, on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, people went about their daily routine;they dropped off their children at school, maybe they traveled by train into Manhattan for work, or got on a flight for a business trip or a vacation, or reported for duty at the Pentagon,” he posted to Facebook. “In an instant, everyone’s daily routine and everything we knew as normal was stolen from us by terrorists.”

And in the Town of Hempstead, residents gathered for a sunrise ceremony at Town Park Point Lookout where local artisans created an 18-foot tall replica of the World Trade Center. Attendees ​also ​had the chance to write on a “Wall of Heroes” mural the names of loved ones who perished.

The ceremony served to allow attendees to “become integral to the healing process,” Supervisor Kate Murray said​, in a news release. “This type of active role allows those impacted by the events of September 11th to help one another to move forward and embrace the legacy of those who perished on that fateful day.”

The services aimed to honor the fallen, but also offer a means of support.

“Being with our family, friends and neighbors helps us pay tribute to our loved ones and share in the collective memory of those we have lost,” said Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, in a news release.​

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