E.M. Remembers 9/11

Ten years, ten months, ten hours, ten minutes, ten seconds, we will never forget repeated the families, friends and politicians who attended the Nassau County Sept. 1, 2001 10th anniversary tribute last Wednesday.

Individuals were remembered and the fire fighters who willingly endangered their lives for strangers were honors as heroes as the rain let up and the ceremony commenced.

Silence penetrated Lakeside Theatre as family members read names of those who died, ending with the one they loved. One woman who lost her brother-in-law said through tears, “The sound of your absence is louder than any sound I’ve ever heard.”

“The pain of losing the core of our family will never be filled,” recalled another family member and Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano quoted a father who lost his son saying, “Ten years has passed and the pain is as sharp as ever.”

While no amount of time may halt the tears of families, the many names of those who lost their lives are now engraved on a wall bordering the lake at the park and as bag pipes played, family and friends walked with their lighted candles and placed white carnations and American flags near the name of the one they love.

East Meadow also hosted a remembrance ceremony and on Sunday, Sept. 11 many locals were in attendance at Veterans Memorial Park. After marching down East Meadow Avenue, the fire department and scouts filed into the park and were surrounded by a sea of lighted candles.

Julia Beckham, who attended the hour-long ceremony, said, “It’s just good to be together. I knew so many people in the city that day.”

Residents for 41 years Marcia and Howard Aschner were also present. “We’re here to support the community,” said Marcia Aschner and Legislator Norma Gonsalves agreed. “That’s the kind of community East Meadow is. That’s what we’re about.”