North Shore areas release plans to commemorate 20th anniversary of Sept. 11

Robert Pelaez
North Shore areas unveiled their plans for various remembrance and memorial ceremonies for the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11. (Photo by Rebecca Klar)

As the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks against the World Trade Center nears, North Shore municipalities are preparing to host memorial services and ceremonies to honor first responders and remember those who perished.

Justin Sachmechi, chief of the Great Neck Vigilant Fire Department, said a brief ceremony will be held on the ramp of the firehouse at 83 Cuttermill Road beginning at 9 a.m. on Sept. 11. Afterward, first responders will line up and march to Jonathan Ielpi Firefighters Park on Grace Avenue, where another ceremony, roughly 30 minutes long, will be held.

​​Ielpi’s life was one of hundreds throughout Nassau County that was taken by the terrorist acts nearly 20 years ago.  Sachmechi said a few members of the Fire Department are putting together a display case to honor their fallen member.

Ielpi’s memory is also kept intact by his  No. 16 high school hockey jersey being hung from the Saddle Rock Bridge, where the view of the city skyline is straight ahead.

Sachmechi  said a member from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy will play taps at Ielpi Park. The march to the park, he said, will feature an escort by members of the Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums group.

The Village of Williston Park will holding its “Night of Remembrance” at 4 p.m. on Sept. 11 at the Memorial Garden in Kelleher Field at 198 Yale St. The village has hosted this event annually since 2008, and it is organized by residents Bill Darmstadt, John Hogan, Kevin Kelly, Chris Paggi and Mike Tavernite. There will be comments from Mayor Paul Ehrbar, dignitaries and the organizers. Additionally, names of all Williston Park and East Williston residents who perished on Sept. 11, 2001, will be read. 

The Village of Manorhaven is hosting a Sept. 11 Memorial Ceremony, according to a news release. Clergy members will lead the audience in prayer, select speakers will say a few words and there will be a gun salute from local veterans. Attendees expected to join including Mayor Jim Avena and the Board of Trustees, among others.

Village officials said residents are also welcome to visit the 9/11 Memorial Garden. The event begins  at 10 a.m. on Sept. 11.

The Village of Floral Park also announced that it will host a memorial service at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 11 at the Relic Memorial in front of Village Hall. Last year, the village held an hourlong ceremony where officials read the names of 11 residents who perished in the attacks.

The New Hyde Park Fire Department will conduct a memorial observance at its headquarters on Sept. 12 at 12:45 p.m.

Officials from the Village of Mineola said they will host a solemn remembrance ceremony at the Memorial Park Amphitheater at 195 Marcellus Road on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.

The Town of North Hempstead will hold a memorial service at 8:15 a.m. on Sept. 11 at the park located on East Shore Road and Northern Boulevard. 

Officials said the town will unveil a 19-foot-long beam from the World Trade Center during the ceremony, along with honoring the victims, families of the victims and first responders. Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said honoring the 56 town residents who died is a “distinct honor and privilege.”

“It is our hope that this memorial will give the victims’ families a sense of solace knowing that the names will be indelibly etched at Manhasset Valley Park,” Bosworth said. “This was an overwhelming tragedy from which we are still healing, and it is imperative that these victims are never forgotten. We encourage our residents to take a moment out of their day on September 11th to support the many families who lost a loved one 20 years ago.”

Last year’s service was held virtually due to the coronavirus. Town Clerk Wayne Wink, a Democrat running for Bosworth’s seat as supervisor, said the ceremony will allow officials and residents to reflect and honor the lives of those who perished and helped others survive the tragedy.

Nassau County will unveil the First Responders Memorial at Eisenhower Park on Sept. 9 at 4:45 p.m. The ceremony will feature a recitation of the names of 348 residents who lost their lives during the attacks.

Share this Article