Communities in the Williston area gathered for multiple Sept. 11 memorial services over the weekend to remember the lives lost in the attack on the World Trade Center 21 years ago. 

The events coincided with several Sept. 11 services throughout North Hempstead. Early Sunday morning, the town held a service at Manhasset Valley Park. 

At Mineola’s Memorial Park, a wreath was presented by two Troop 45 Eagle Scouts in an event emceed by Mayor Paul Pereira. 

“I think that it is as important today, perhaps even more so, to remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001, than it was in the years immediately following that dark day,” Pereira said during his opening remarks. “For those of us that have the events of that day seared into our memories, it is important that we transmit not only the darkness of that day that epitomizes the worst of humanity but also the heroism that followed that represents the best of humanity.”

The national anthem for the ceremony was sung by Bridget Cunningham, a Mineola High School senior and Superintendent Michael Nagler was the keynote speaker. 

Rev. Malcolm Burns of Corpus Christi Church provided an invocation and Rabbi Anhelle Perl of Chabad Mineola gave a closing prayer. 

In Williston Park, a remembrance ceremony was held at Kelleher Memorial Field Sunday evening at 4 p.m. 

In East Williston, a candlelight vigil was held at 7 p.m. on the village green where a reading of the names took place to pause and reflect on the lives of Michael Cahill, Jonathan Connors, Robert Jordan, Thomas Kuveikis and Peter Owens Jr.  The late residents died on Sept. 11.

East Williston Mayor Bonnie Parente Mayor Bonnie Parente of East Williston recited a resident’s poem, “Angels of America.”

“Thank you Michael Baltzer, poet of ‘Angels of America,’ Parente said on Facebook. “I was honored to recite your beautiful poem this morning at the Town of North Hempstead 9/11 ceremony.” 

A total of 56 North Hempstead residents died in the Sept. 11 attacks. 

Political and religious leaders in the town shared their memories of that terrible day Sunday. Manhasset Valley 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 Town Supervisor Jennifer 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.

Dr. Isma Chaudhry, the president of the Islamic Center of Long Island, asked those who experienced 9/11 to continue telling their stories.

“I distinctly remember that crisp morning and the shock that we endured as a nation, as [humans], that still runs in our veins and across our spines,” she said. “There are children who will learn about 9/11 from textbooks — and from us.”

Chaudry said despite the carnage, the stories that can be told could offer important lessons.

“They will learn from us how we as a nation emerged from intense grief and loss and faced the challenges of living in a post-9/11 world,” she said. “[By] upholding the values of compassion, care and love, they will know the history of American resilience and resolve, especially when faced with the darkness of extremism. From us, they will know how to honor the legacy of the heroes of 9/11.”

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.”

Additional reporting by Steven Keehner.