Town of North Hempstead reflects on 20 years since Sept. 11 attacks

0
Town of North Hempstead reflects on 20 years since Sept. 11 attacks
The Town of North Hempstead and areas throughout it held ceremonies to remember the Sept. 11 attacks 20 years later. (Photo by Brandon Duffy)

The Town of North Hempstead hosted a Sept. 11 remembrance and recitation of names ceremony at Manhasset Valley Park on Saturday.  State, county and town officials recalled the tragic events 20 years ago. 

The park is the new home to a monument commemorating and honoring North Hempstead residents who died during the terror attacks. 

Officials presented the 19-foot monument, a steel beam salvaged from the wreckage, with a plaque listing the names of the 56 North Hempstead residents who died directly in front of it.

Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said the beam is visible from the LIRR overpass, the rail line so many of the victims took on their way to work that day. 

Furthermore, Bosworth said that the monument is pointed and angled directly at ground zero, 17 miles away.

The monument is not completely finished. A wall of remembrance will be added commemorating first responders and those who succumbed to illnesses from Sept. 11.

“It’s hard to fathom an entire generation in this world exists since the day this horror occurred,” said Town Clerk Wayne Wink. “Never forget the pain we felt, and the pain we still feel.”

“These were our friends, our family, our neighbors, our co-workers and they will never be forgotten,” Bosworth said. 

In the recitation of names ceremony,  each of the town’s council members read names from the list of 56 that lived in or were from their district. When they finished, attendees were allowed to step up and share the names of people they wanted to commemorate. 

Great Neck

A ceremony was also held at Ielpi Firefighters Park in Great Neck Plaza on Saturday, with the playing of taps from a member of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the playing of “Amazing Grace” by members of the Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums group.

First responders from the Great Neck peninsula gathered at the park named after former Vigilant Fire Department member Jonathan Ielpi.

​​Ielpi’s life was one of hundreds throughout Nassau County that was taken by the terrorist acts nearly 20 years ago. His memory is also kept intact by his  No. 16 high school hockey jersey being hung from the Saddle Rock Bridge, where the view of the city skyline is straight ahead.

Ielpi’s sister, Melissa, thanked the department for constant support and aid to her family over the past 20 years.

“Since day one, the Fire Department has been there for us and we are so grateful for them,” she said. “Jonathan loved the Fire Department, and he loved each and every one of you.”

Longtime Vigilant member Rabbi Marim Charry, who gave the opening prayer, spoke on why people should not forget the events of Sept. 11.

“When we say ‘do not forget’, it means to take action,” Charry said. “To take action to make sure nothing like that ever happens again.”

Vigilant Chief Justin Sachmechi encouraged everyone in attendance to keep the memory of everyone who perished during the attacks close and pass down the information and knowledge learned from that day to future generations.

East Hills

The Village of East Hills hosted a commemoration for the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. The processions were held at Arlene park, named after Arlene E. Fried, one of the victims in the tragedy. 

Mayor Michael Koblenz recalled his experiences that day as he was working in Battery Park.

When his opening remarks were finished, he opened up the podium to any attendee that wished to speak.  Resident Rhoda Helman approached the podium and shared a story she said she tries to every chance she can.

In 1984, as a teacher in Queens, Helman was approached by Newsday to include her class in their edition of “Kidsday.” She said the prompt for her students was to write a poem about what they would do in the events of an atomic bomb. 

Helman then proceeded to read, “The Horrifying Demon,” a five-stanza poem one of her sixth-graders wrote in response to the assignment. After the poem’s conclusion, Helman revealed that the author of the poem, whom she did not wish to identify, was an employee of Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.

Speaking about the poem in an interview, Helman said she can never forget “what an adorable little face he had, the most perfect sixth-grader.”

Williston Park

The Village of Williston Park held a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at the 9/11 memorial garden at Kelleher field. Attendees lined up on the third base side bleachers as different speakers, officials and dignitaries made remarks. 

Preceding the evening’s events were a presentation of colors in the outfield, led by the American legion and followed by the local VFW post, Fire Department, and the Cub Scout Pack 201. 

Regarding the two decades that have passed, Mayor Paul Ehrbar emphasized the importance of keeping the memories of those who had their lives cut short.

“It’s important for our education systems to continue to incorporate this day in history and civic classes, to ensure future generations are fully aware of today and the impacts its events had on our nation,” he said.

New Hyde Park

The Village of New Hyde Park hosted a Sept. 11 observance at the Fire Department headquarters Sunday afternoon on Jericho Turnpike. Present at the ceremony were town and state officials as well as representatives from the Board of Fire Commissioners. 

The Chaminade boys choir provided music as well as a local firefighter providing pipes. 

When he spoke, Mayor Christopher Devane recalled fondly someone he knew personally in the attacks, Michael Montesi. The mayor said after volunteering in the village for 13 years it was always his dream to be a New York City firefighter. Montesi was a member of Rescue Company 1, something Devane said was his life dream, as he would feverishly exercise in and around the headquarters whenever he could while volunteering. 

“As I look at these documentaries and see the towers burning, I think of Mike Montesi,” the mayor said. “Because when Mike was going into that fire, I have no doubt in my mind that he was supremely confident that he would get those people out.”  

Following remarks, there was a recitation of names ceremony for the 10 New Hyde Park residents who lost their lives. 

Mineola

The Village of Mineola held a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony Friday night at the Memorial Park Amphitheater. The ceremony was held in front of the village’s 9/11 memorial and featured leaders from Long Island as well as first responders.  A flyover was conducted with a helicopter from the Nassau County Police Department, and the ceremony included a presentation of colors with local firefighters. 

In an interview earlier, Mayor Scott Strauss said he wants younger generations to be aware of the galvanizing effort by people to support each other following those dark days. 

“I think the younger generation needs to be aware of the patriotism we had in the United States,” he said. “From the afternoon and the evening of 9/11 and on, it lasted for months and months, it was unlike anything I have ever seen before.”

Port Washington

Roughly 100 people attended for the Village of Manorhaven’s Sept. 11 ceremony on Saturday, with Mayor Jim Avena providing the opening remarks.

Former village Trustee and Vietnam War veteran Ken Kraft described his Sept. 11 experience while working for the Nassau County Police Department. Kraft said the attacks were “much worse” than his experience in Vietnam because they occurred “in my own backyard.”

“Now, more than ever before, it’s time for all of us to respect and appreciate our first responders … who wanted so much to rescue and help those 3,000 victims of this cowardly, atrocious act,” Kraft said.

“The Star-Spangled Banner” was sang by Weber Junior High School eighth-grader Ella Rowe, who is Avena’s granddaughter.

Port Washington VFW Post 1819 performed a gun salute and a benediction was conducted by two members of the Our Lady of Fatima Church.

No posts to display

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here