Seaford remembers 9/11 victims

The air was thick with approaching rain as more than 1,000 people gathered on the lawn of Seaford High School on September 11 to honor the victims, including five alumni, lost during the 2001 terrorist attacks.

The annual memorial, marking the 17th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, was — as usual — a community collaboration. School officials; board of education trustees; Student Council and Key Club members; student athletes; elected officials from town, county, state and federal governments; local clergy; first responders and firefighters from Seaford, Wantagh, Freeport; and representatives of numerous other community organizations joined together in unity, to honor and remember.

The Nassau County Police Color Guard presented the ceremonial flag to begin the hour-long program, escorted by the Police Pipe and Drum unit and Honor Guard representatives. Retired Seaford High School’s Principal Raymond J. Buckley welcomed attendees to the ceremony and Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Adele Pecora led the audience in the pledge of allegiance. The National Anthem was performed by the Seaford High School Band, the evening’s guests were introduced by current high school principal Scott Bersin, and Reverend Ronald Klose of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Seaford gave the invocation.

United States Congressman Peter King, of Seaford, spoke after Klose.

“At 9/11, the enemy thought that they’d defeated us,” he said. “They thought they’d landed a blunt blow against us but instead that was a day that America fought back and nobody fought back more then the people of Seaford.”

King said this year’s ceremony was another “very moving, very memorable evening.”

“It shows to me the patriotism and dedication of the Seaford community,’ King said. “I don’t know if any other community on Long Island has a turn out like this [and] enthusiasm like this… There is just nothing like this.”

Stephen Bongiovi — a 9/11 Seaford High School Memorial Committee member, whose wife Judy runs the Seaford Historical Society — led a tribute in honor of the five alumni who died on September 11, 2001: Robert Sliwak (1977), John Perry (1982), Thomas Haskell (Class of 1982), Timothy Haskell (1985) and Michael Wittenstein (1985). A bell was rung after each name was read by reverends from two Seaford churches; Maria Regina Roman Catholic Church and Seaford United Methodist Church.

Amazing Grace, performed by the Pipe and drum band, set the tone for a family member to share his loss.

Ken Haskell, brother of Thomas and Timothy Haskell, reflected on the lives of his brothers and said the number one message offered at this ceremony every year is to “never forget.”

“The turnout here tonight reiterates that,” Haskell said. “Seaford; what a fantastic place. We have several thousand people here [tonight,] so it’s fantastic.”

The evening commemoration concluded with a musical tribute by an FDNY firefighter, and a candle lighting — ending with a benediction, and performance of God Bless America by the Seaford High School Honors Chorale.

Bongiovi said that as long as Seaford High School exists, the community will gather there every September 11 to remember and honor the victims of the terrorist attacks. “September 11 has become one of those indelible moments in history that will remain at the core of our being,” he said.