Our experience of 9/11 has changed; today it is seen as part of a journey and not an isolated event. On Wednesday, Sept. 10, President Barack Obama spoke to the nation saying the battle against terrorism is ongoing.
That awareness that we had gone through the experience of the fall of the Twin Towers and had rebounded, but the danger is not over, and the battle is still to be won was repeated by Senator Carl Marcellino at the Day of Commemoration at the Oyster Bay 9/11 Memorial Garden on the Western Waterfront on Thursday evening.
Chairs were set up at the Memorial Garden on West End Avenue for family members, seniors and guests. The Oyster Bay Community Band led by Stephen Walker performed. Members of the Atlantic Steamer and Oyster Bay Fire Company formed a ring around the edges of the crowd.
Elected officials were there in good numbers. Marcellino, whose office arranges the event, was the master of ceremonies. Attending were Assemblyman Michael Montesano, Legislator Don MacKenzie, Councilwoman Michele Johnson, NC Police Chief Mary Ann Thompson, Bayville Mayor Paul Rupp, Muttontown Mayor Julianne Beckerman, a representative of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Oyster Bay Civic Association President Richard LaMarca. Adding their blessings to the commemoration were Pastor Jeffrey Prey, Pastor Raymond Melograne, Curate Fred Miller and Pastor Diane Melograne.
The senator recalled his experience of 9/11, saying that each one of us remembers that iconic moment. He reminded all of the first responders who ran into the building just as others were escaping in the dust cloud remaining. Those brave firemen and police officers became part of the death toll of the attack on the Twin Towers.
The Memorial Garden he said is not cared for by any entity but instead, fresh flowers are placed there, by loving family members and local residents. “People come here all the time and leave flowers.” He added that after 9/11, “Things seemed to be getting better and it seemed a more peaceful world,” but recent events make that less likely, reminding us that freedom is never free.
“This is the only country in the world where people can excel and are only limited by themselves…we treat everyone with respect…that is what the United States of America is all about…this country is the beacon of hope for the world.”
He introduced John Delaney, who played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. Then, members of Girl Scout Troop 65 and Boy Scout Troop 299 participated in a moving ceremony. As an elected official read out the name of an Oyster Bay person lost in 9/11, Leg. MacKenzie rang a bell and a Scout, holding a lighted candle walked to the front, where they formed a circle around Marcellino. The Oyster Bay Community Band played softly as the names were announced: Joshua Todd Aron, Timothy Byrne, Christopher Ciafardini, Peter Victor Genco,
Brooke Alexandra Jackman, Joseph A. Kelly, Thomas A. Mahon, Lester Vincent Marino, Edward J. Papa, Bernard E. Patterson, Laurence Polatsch, Bart J. Ruggiere, Jonathan S. Ryan,
Francis John Sadocha, John “Pepe” Salerno, Adriane V. Scibetta, Christopher Paul Slattery, Michael Taddonio, Daniel P. Trant, Joshua S. Vitale and Andrew Steven Zucker.
The senator said there is still space on the monument for the names of other people lost in the attack. [In New York City people mentioned adding the names of those who died from the air pollution at the Ground Zero during the cleanup of the debris.]
Everyone was invited to a reception at the Atlantic Steamer Marine facility. As they walked there, they passed a Memorial Garden where a steel beam from the Twin Towers is displayed.
A beautiful sunset over the Mill Neck hill ended the evening.
