Reflecting, cherishing and not forgetting

In the 13 years since 9/11 occurred, there have been other acts of terrorism perpetrated throughout the world, and County Legislator Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence) noted that “evil people” exist in every era of human history, but there are ways to negate the hatred.
“Let’s remember history,” Kopel said, as he spoke at the annual 9/11 memorial ceremony held in Andrew J. Parise Cedarhurst Park on Sept. 11 to honor those killed in the four attacks, including the six from the Lawrence School District who died. “Resolve to teach our children when we say we won’t forget we won’t. Remember the lost in acts of kindness and dedicating ourselves to building a more understanding and caring world.”
The Village of Cedarhurst, the school district and the Lawrence-Cedarhurst, Inwood and Meadowmere fire departments, the county police, the Five Towns auxiliary and the Lawrence-Cedarhurst American Legion Post 339 collaborated on the event.
Lawrence High School students played a prominent role as Jason Eras sang the National Anthem, trumpeter Lee Blackburn played “Taps” and the a capella ensemble comprised of Patricia Magliaro, Gizzel George, Daphne O’Leary, Marianna Santostefano and Tamara Gonzalez performed three songs, “Amazing Grace,” “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “America the Beautiful.”
“It is a time to pause, reflect and never forget,” said Cedarhurst Mayor Andrew J. Parise. “We cherish their memory,” he added about those who died.

Atlantic Beach native Neil D. Levin, the executive director of the Port Authority of NY & NJ; Thomas Jurgens, a Meadowmere Park resident who was a senior court officer for the state Supreme Court; Kevin O’Rourke, of Cedarhurst, was a NYC firefighter and a LCFD volunteer; Inwood resident Joseph Rivelli Jr., also a city firefighter; Bettina Browne Radburn, an assistant vice president with AON who lived in n Atlantic Beach and Ira Zaslow, of North Woodmere, an assistant VP with Lehman Brothers, are the 9/11 victims commemorated by the memorial at the village park.
Rabbi Yaakov Feitman of Kehillas Bais Yehuda Tzvi in Cedarhurst touched on President Obama’s speech concerning the Islamic State militants on Sept. 10 as another reminder that terrorism has not abated since 9/11. He called on God to help us never forget those who died. “All those who lost someone are left with an aching void,” the rabbi said. “But there must be a proper distinction between blind revenge and protecting the U.S.”
Rev. Msgr. Paul Rahilly, the pastor at St. Joachim’s R.C. Church in Cedarhurst, pointed to a connection between two religions to draw people together. “There is a hyphen in Judeo-Christian but let it be a bridge that binds us, not divides us.”