Sept. 11 anniversary

County honors Sept. 11 victims

Names of every county resident who died recited

Posted

Thirteen years after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center that claimed nearly 3,000 lives, Nassau County held a candlelight remembrance ceremony to honor those who died that day.

Monday’s ceremony was highlighted by a reading by family members of the names of every Nassau County resident who died.

According to County Executive Ed Mangano, who hosted the ceremony, 349 Nassau families lost loved ones that day, and 18 county firefighters died in the rescue effort. “We thank those who didn’t run from, but into, the World Trade Center to save lives, and by doing so, lost their own lives,” Mangano said.

The ceremony took place at sunset at the county’s 9/11 memorial, near the Lakeside Theatre. The memorial features two semi-transparent aluminum towers, rising 30 feet from a fountain, and two pieces of steel recovered from the World Trade Center. Placards next to the memorial list every resident who died on Sept. 11, and where they lived.

East Meadow Brownie Troop 1328 sang the national anthem at the start of the ceremony.

As the evening wound down, the sunset cast a luminous glow over the lake, illuminating the towers, creating a serene view for those who solemnly sat in observance.

At the ceremony’s conclusion, candles were passed around to the attendees, and, while many strolled away from the proceedings back to their vehicles, others sat in quiet reflection.