East Meadow commemorates Sept. 11

The morning of Sept. 11, 2015 began with an overcast sky, as Americans from coast to coast planned their day in remembrance of the darkest day in the history of the United States. This day, the 14th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, was not just significant for the milestone passing, but it offered another year of new hope for a better future with the continued progress of New York City’s financial district, and the daunting task of our military abroad, and our law enforcement back home in keeping our country safe.

The day was again filled with television footage of New York City’s remembrance ceremony at the World Trade Center. For hours at a time, one-by-one, the names of each person lost on that day were announced by loved ones, be it, an innocent hardworking family member; a member of our military who gave his or her life for our country; or a firefighter who made the supreme sacrifice so others may live. 

Amid renewed intelligence warnings of additional terror attacks, our nation stood vigilant, however not forgetting the tragic events 14 years ago. With ceremonies throughout the nation, the small community of East Meadow was no different.

This year’s Sept. 11 candlelight vigil in Veterans Memorial Park drew as many as 300 residents, firefighters, Boy and Girl Scouts, and community leaders. The ceremony itself, mastered by Firefighter Glenn Carpentier was filled with speeches of hope, promise, and a better tomorrow. Words spoken from department Chaplain Douglas Wood gave comfort in our religious beliefs. 

Under the direction of Chief of Department James Kane, more than 70 East Meadow volunteers in dress uniform with white gloves followed the commands of salute in a military fashion. 

It was a night for the community to be together, to grieve, to heal, to hope, as together we admired the sounds of a lone bag piper, EMFD’s own former Chief Robert Hughes. A short time after, the community, lit candles in hand, sang in chorus to God Bless America. 

It was a time to honor,  as Kane, with help from his assistant chiefs John McGee, Joseph Lennon and Phil Fertitta, set a wreath in place at the foot of the community’s Sept. 11 memorial.

Another year passed, another year not forgotten. 

Our community will always remember the innocent, the heroes, and our military during these difficult times, in hope that one day we will live again in peace. 

John O’ Brien Sr. is a former chief of the East Meadow Fire Department, and a volunteer for more than 38 years.