Oyster Bay remembers its own. This year, New York State Senator Carl Marcellino’s staff created a new way to commemorate the innocent people who perished in the attack of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. They set up an area to the right of the Memorial Garden on West End Avenue with photos of those lost and set out luminarias in front of them. Although they were lighted throughout the ceremony, which started at 6:30 p.m., it wasn’t until dusk fell that the candles showed their golden rays. It was a lovely tribute to those we lost.
In speaking to those gathered there, Marcellino said he deliberately didn’t want to make 9/11 a national holiday, not a day that interferes with schools and business [or a day off for shopping as many of our holidays have become], but a special day to keep in our hearts.
“Do not forget what caused it—hate—and how we survived it, by love,” said Marcellino
He said the country responded with courage and great faith and now we protect the world with our troops sent all over the world, protecting people, whatever their color and race.
“The thinking world knows it,” Marcellino affirmed. “There are people who hate us because we are free and can go up to elected officials and tell them ‘what for’ with no danger toward them for their words. This country is special. The world looks to us for leadership that we didn’t ask for, but we are strong and respond to challenges.”
He added, “We don’t use our strengths unless asked. We don’t push others around and don’t step in unless asked.”
Looking out at those around him, the senator said each year another cousin or son or daughter is added to the memorial, which was designed to accept more names. This year it is Gabriela Silvina Waisman, 33, whose sister lives locally. A graduate of Queens College, she was the operations manager of Sybase, a software company and was setting up for a trade show in the North Tower at the Risk Waters Conference Center when the attack took place.
Relatives of many of those named on the wall attended the event, including the niece of Francis John Sadocha, Anna Lee Sadocha, a senior at Oyster Bay High School who played the clarinet at the event with the Oyster Bay Community Band under the lead director of Stephen V. Walker.
Marcellino said that every year we come back here, the family of visitors grows. This year those added included the parents of Girl Scout Troop #65 and Boy Scout Troop #299, Cub Scout Pack #253 and Boy Scout Troop #253.
The young Scouts placed flowers at the foot of the memorial wall as the names were read by Legislator Donald MacKenzie and town Councilman Anthony Macagnone as a bell was rung to mark each name.
A poem, written in honor of Fire Company 343 by Lindenhurst poet/songwriter Joe Wasserman, was read by an Oyster Bay firefighter Joseph Siciliano, also with the FDNY, EMT.
The service was opened by the Posting of the Colors by members of the Atlantic Steamer Fire Company No.1 and the Oyster Bay Fire Department No. 1.
They stood at attention surrounding the participants throughout the memorial service, a thin blue line commemorating those who rushed into the burning buildings to save others.
During the service, Rabbi Steven Moskowitz gave the invocation, Deacon Jesus “Jay” Valdes offered a memorial prayer as John Delaney played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes and Pastor Diane Melograne gave the closing blessing.
The senator invited everyone to the Atlantic Steamer Fire Company No.1 Marine Rescue Facility.
By that time the luminarias were glowing orange/gold as people walked to the reception.
The names of the friends, neighbors and loved ones remembered on the wall of the Oyster Bay 9/11 Memorial Garden are: Joshua Todd Aron, Timothy Byrne, Christopher Ciafardini, Peter Victor Genco, Brooke Alexander 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, Adrienne V. Scibetta, Christopher Paul Slattery, Michael Taddonio, Daniel P. Trant, Joshua S. Vitale, Gabriela Silvina Waisman and Andrew Steven Zucker.
