NEVER FORGETTING, SEA CLIFF OBSERVES 15th ANNIVERSAY OF SEPTEMBER 11th ATTACKS
September 11, 2016 -- At a solemn ceremony held in front of Sea Cliff's Stenson Memorial Library on Sunday morning, dozens of residents turned out to observe the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that took the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent people.
The observance was presided over by resident Phil Como, who opened the ceremony reading from the words enscribed on the plaque at the base of the 9/11 Memorial Clock that is "dedicated to those who perished in the World Trade Center Attack of September 11, 2001, the people who toiled heroically to save them and the spirit it renewed in America." Rabbi Irwin Huberman of Congregation Tifereth Israel in Glen Cove, offered the invocation. He noted that with such a hateful and horrific act as had taken place on that day it is easy to become overcome with anger and hate. Instead, "try to choose blessings over curses, life over death," he said. "Leave the haters behind. Spread love." He urged parents to "love and hug your children" and to teach them that principle. "Use the moment to remember the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives and their families and their friends who mourn them," he said. Following a beautiful rendition of "America the Beautiful" by Sea Cliff Resident Lesley Pryde Haley, Mayor Bruce Kennedy then spoke. "The thing we say is 'Never Forget,'" he said. "What should we never forget? We should never forget the victims - the passengers on the four airplanes and the people who showed up to work that day never knowing that they would not come home again. We should never forget the first responders. We should never forget how this country pulled together. We should never forget the children missing a parent." Mr. Como then read John Donnes' meditation, "No Man Is an Island," and as he concluded with the words, "And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee," resident Ted Kopczynski tolled the Village Green bell 15 times, marking each year since the attacks. And with a member of each fire company of the Sea Cliff Fire Department, along with Chief William Koopmen and former Chiefs James Martin, Sean O'Donnell and Philip Grella, and dozens of residents standing at attention, Middle School Band teacher Eric Mordhorst and high school freshman Nicholas Ditrano played taps on the trumpet. "We come because we have to," Mr. Como said as the ceremony concluded. "We'll be here next September 11th." BACK TO WEEKLY BACK TO HOME PAGE |
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