Cover photo: A rose is laid on the 9-11 memorial waterfall (Credit – Matt Meduri)
Members of the Smithtown community gathered last Thursday, September 11, to commemorate the twenty-fourth anniversary of perhaps the darkest day in American history and to remember the many Smithtonians who lost their lives that day.
The annual ceremony was held at Tide Park – also known as 9/11 Park – on Main Street in Smithtown. “Our conversations are poisoned by anger, our politics by division. We demonize those on the other side and we tear them down,” said Rabbi Mendel Teldon of Shabbat Commack.
“When hatred boils over into violence, that cannot be the society we build, that cannot be the legacy that we leave. The Bible calls us to lead differently, to lift the conversation, to demand respect for every person, especially when we disagree.”
Rabbi Mendel advised attendees to “be the person” who says “let’s refocus and be positive.”
“After twenty-four years, it never gets any easier,” said Don Lynch, Chief Fire Marshall for the Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services (FRES), as he began reading the names of the victims. A bell toll accompanied each name. Names were read by elected officials and community members alike.
“To all of our first responders and to the families of 2,507 civilians, 72 law enforcement officers, 343 firefighters, and 55 military personnel who were killed in the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania; to the thousands of 9/11 responders who have since battled illness and given their lives; to the 7,085 U.S. soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom; and to the 15,533 wounded in action since that day, we make this solemn vow – Smithtown will always honor you,” said Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) (pictured above).
“We will stand beside your loved ones. This is how we keep your memories alive.”
Trader Joe’s of Lake Grove donated dozens of roses to be placed at the memorial waterfall. The ceremony was coordinated by the Town of Smithtown and the Smithtown Chamber of Commerce, with help from the Smithtown Fire Department. Law enforcement officials from the Suffolk County Police Department were also present, as were local business owners and the entire Town Board.
Suffolk County District Court Judge, Fourth District, Hon. John Zollo (R-Smithtown) (pictured below) closed the ceremony with a rendition of “God Bless the USA”, with the well-known superimposition of the lyric, “from Smithtown to L.A.”
