48.0°,
Mostly Cloudy A time to remember the fallen
Malverne and West Hempstead residents commemorate Sept. 11
It was a dreary Sept. 11 this year, with cloudy skies, heavy rainfall and sharp winds hitting Long Island throughout most of the day. The inclement weather, however, did not stop residents in Malverne and West Hempstead from making an effort to commemorate the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Just after 8 p.m., the Village of Malverne held its Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at Reese Park. Hundreds of residents gathered with candles shining in their hands to honor the memory of residents Scott Bart, Jacqueline Donovan, James Haran and Diane Urban as well as our country's police officers, fire-fighters and first responders.
Village officials noted that this year marked the eighth anniversary since that dark day in our country, and reminded residents of the importance of taking time out to remember the thousands of innocent people who died that day.
"Each year, the wound of September 11, 2001, re-opens and we re-live that tragic day that directly affected your family and our nation," Mayor Patricia McDonald said to the victims families during her remarks. "We may never understand your loss and grief, but we pray that the support you see here tonight at this memorial service, brings you some comfort."
McDonald also promised that each year, officials will continue to make the Sept. 11 memorial service a priority in the village. "We will continue to gather as a family each year and we will never forget," she said. "Our prayers will continue as well as our support."
Nearby at Hall's Pond Park in West Hempstead just an hour earlier, more than 30 residents attended the West Hempstead Kiwanis Club's memorial service. Residents lit candles and walked together to the park's Sept. 11 memorial to honor the 12 residents who were killed eight years ago.
"We gather here at Hall's Pond and walk to the memorial each year because we want to make sure that the September 11th victims are never forgotten," said Andy Thaw, a spokesman for the club. "September 11th is a day most people in this country will probably never forget and we believe it's important that everyone take the time each year to pay tribute to the many people who died on that tragic day."
