Nassau remembers 9/11

To commemorate the ninth anniversary of 9/11 on Saturday, many South Shore communities hosted ceremonies to honor those who were lost on that fateful day in 2001.

On Saturday morning, hundreds of Long Islanders were at Point Lookout Beach for the Town of Hempstead's annual sunrise ceremony at the Seaside 9/11 Memorial. The ceremony at 7:30 a.m. included remarks from clergy and the surviving brother of two firefighters. Two 15-foot tall chrome towers, along with a moving white dove release, created a backdrop for what town officials are calling a "meaningful program of solace, reflection, healing and hope."

Nassau County held its annual 9/11 Sunset Ceremony on Tuesday at Eisenhower Park. Each year, the names of Nassau residents lost in the attacks are read by their family members at Nassau’s 9/11 Memorial, adjacent to the lake at Eisenhower Park. The memorial features two semi-transparent aluminum towers, representing the World Trade Center towers, rising 30 feet from a fountain, and also contains two pieces of steel recovered from the World Trade Center.

“These are but small acts we undertake to honor the innocent victims of the Sept. 11 attacks on our country,” County Executive Ed Mangano said. “What is most important is that we continue to uphold these traditions, and never forget the people who were killed that day.”

Other local 9/11 events held on Saturday, Sept. 11:

East Meadow Fire Department Candlelight Vigil: 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park's Town Square. The park is located on the corner of East Meadow Avenue and Prospect Avenue in East Meadow.

East Rockaway: Memorial Park, 7 p.m.
Lynbrook, 9/11 Memorial, adjacent Village Hall
East Rockaway and Lynbrook 

Bellmore Fire Department: 3:30 p.m. at department headquarters located on 230 Pettit Avenue in Bellmore.

Merrick Fire Department: 1 p.m., at the memorial on the corner of Merrick Road and Sunrise Highway.