Community-

Lynbrook comes together for 9/11 remembrance

Posted

The Village of Lynbrook’s elected officials and residents alike came out last Thursday to honor and remember the victims of terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The ceremony began with the pledge of allegiance, led by Chiefs Michael Anderson and Joseph Neve of the Lynbrook Fire Department and Police Department, respectively. Lynbrook resident Nicole Dalto then sang the National Anthem before Rev. Richard Stelter of Our Lady of Peace Church in Lynbrook gave the ceremony’s invocation. “Loving God,” Stelter said, “watch over those of many faiths that have gathered here today and take care of the victims and keep them close to your heart forever.”

Lynbrook Mayor William J. Hendrick then took to the podium to address those in attendance. Hendrick began his remarks by asking those gathered a simple question: “Why are we here?” The Mayor answered his own question with three reasons, “to remember, to honor, and to send a message.

“We are here to remember, not just today but daily, those that left for a normal day of work and never came home. We are here to honor the first responders that sacrificed to protect others. They are heroes. And we are here to send a message to the rest of the world that we will not accept terrorism and will fight to keep it from happening,” Hendrick said.

The names of the 19 Lynbrook residents that perished in the attacks were then read by Trustees Hilary Becker, Michael Hawxhurst, Thomas Atkinson, and Deputy Mayor Alan Beach as family and friends placed flowers on the memorials of those that they lost. As the reading of the names was concluded, church bells rang out as a solemn silence over took the crowd, which continued after the bells stopped, in a sign of respect for those that had died. “Amazing Grace” was then played by the Mac na h E’ireann Pipes and Drums corps.

The remembrance was closed with a prayer from Cantor Jerry Korobow of Temple Am Echad. In his prayer, Korobow appealed to God to “love all that are here and all that are lost deeply. To comfort those who stand alone here today. And to open our hearts to the victims and those that left behind.” Korobow also said that he hoped that “despite the horror and tragedy that occurred 13 years ago that the United States will remain a shelter and symbol of freedom and a beacon of light and justice for all.”

After Dalto took to the mic once again to sing “God Bless America,” Hendrick adressed the crowd for a final time. He thanked the elected officials and resignations that attended the memorial service and asked that “these elected officials and religious leaders that are gathered here will be inspired to work for peace.”