Residents of Floral Park, along with local elected officials, gathered on the morning of Sept. 11 outside village hall, to remember the fallen who perished in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.
Music for the memorial service was provided by the Holy Spirit Church Choir while Katie Hayes sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.” The opening prayer was led by Pastor Piotr Rozek from St. Hedwig’s Church.
Across the street from the memorial service, the United Methodist Church rang its bell at 8:46 a.m. and at 9:03 a.m. to mark the time when the hijacked airplanes struck the north and south towers respectively. Afterward, trustees Frank Chiara, Lynn Pombonyo and Kevin Fitzgerald read the names of the village residents who died in the attacks while members of the Floral Park Fire Department laid roses around the village’s 9/11 monument where the victim’s names are etched.
Those who died that day are Keith G. Fairben (NYPH), Ryan D. Fitzgerald, Howard Gelling, Thomas Hetzel (FDNY), Robert C. King, Jr. (FDNY), Ronald P. Kloepfer (ESU—NYPD), Brian Magee, Charles Mendez (FDNY), Robert M. Regan (FDNY), Michelle Bratton and Billy Dean.
Towards the end of the ceremony David Kraft played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes while Reverend Thomas Fusco of Our Lady of Victory Church blessed the 9/11 monument and gave his closing prayer.
