Less than two miles apart, the Villages of Williston Park and East Williston were united in spirit on Tuesday evening in simultaneous memorials observing the anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Towers.
For the sixth consecutive year, more than 50 Williston Park residents gathered together to reflect on the almost 3,000 lives lost, including seven Williston Park residents whose names were read aloud by former Williston Park Deputy Mayor William Darmstadt.
A flag of honor listing the names of everyone killed on September 11 hung on the field’s chain-link fence. It was donated by Linda Wilson in memory of her sister Donna, who died when the towers fell.
The East Williston observance was marked by a candlelight vigil as residents gathered on the Village Green with each small flame illuminating their somber faces.
In Williston Park, color guards from American Legion Post 144, Boy Scout Troop 201 and Cub Scout Pack 311 participated along with members of the Williston Park Little League and Auxiliary Police of Williston Park, including Chief Jean Tranchina, Williston Park Fire Department Chief George Jaronczyk Jr., 1st Asst. Chief John Perro and 2nd Asst. Chief Anthony Gagliardi, also attended with members of their volunteer department and junior firefighters, who also provided a color guard.
Williston Park resident John Hogan, who presided at the ceremony, opened by saying, “While it is unbelievable that 11 years have passed, the feelings of shock and loss still remain. For the families of our community who mourn here tonight, there will always be a missing loved one, that will never be forgotten.”
Williston Park Mayor Paul Ehrbar described the residents’ presence at the ceremony as “the apple pie of America.”
“This is what those who attacked us on September 11 tried to destroy that day, and that they didn’t, we are even stronger with our resiliency for the past eleven years,” Ehrbar said.
Williston Park Mayor Deputy Mayor Kevin Rynne and Trustee Teresa Thomann were also in attendance, as were Town of North Hempstead Supervisor John Kaiman, Town Councilman Angelo Ferrara and Nassau County Clerk Maureen O’Connell.
“We are here to remember those who died that day, our fireman, policemen and emergency servicemen who ran in to save lives and put themselves in harms way,” Ferrara said. “They didn’t do that for nothing. They did that because of the ideal of what we stand for.”
O’Connell spoke about families she has visited, children who have lost parents and parents who have lost children.
“Their pain is still quite deep,” said O’Connell. “Our hearts are always with you, and we as a community will do anything and everything that you ever need to help you through whatever challenges you face…we stand with you.”
On the Village Green in East Williston, more than 50 residents held candles in the memorial vigil.
Led by Village of East Williston Mayor David Tanner and Trustee Caroline DeBenedittis, the two elected officials were joined by Trustee Christopher Siciliano, East Williston Fire Department Chief Patrick Theodore, members of the East Williston Fire Department and Reverend Forrest Parkinson of the Community Church of East Williston.
“Eleven years still seems very close to us,” Tanner said. “Tonight we reflect, remember and continue to heal as a community. It will demonstrate that we remain strong in our way of life and values.”
DeBennedittis read an untitled poem about September 11, by an author she called ‘Anna.’
She ended her reading with the lines, “For all the people who died and those I never met, I pray you know they will never forget,”
Parkinson delivered a heartfelt prayer service to everyone on the Village Green, saying “this is a time of remembrance, to be truly reverent.”
Speaking about how the changes in the country, and the world, in the intervening 11 years since the September 11 attacks, he said, “We have been at war ever since, struggling with diversity and differences.”
Asking everyone at the vigil to look into their candle, Parkinson blessed everyone as “unique and sacred. Life is sacred,” he added.
The observance ended with members of local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops leading everyone in an emotional rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
