Honoring the fallen heroes of Sept. 11, 2001

East Rockaway

The Village of East Rockaway held its annual 9/11 memorial service in Memorial Park last Sunday evening, honoring those with ties to the community, as well as the other victims who perished in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Deputy Mayor Theresa Gaffney acted as the Mistress of Ceremonies, greeting the crowd; Peter Rapanaro sang the National Anthem and later, "Let There Be Peace on Earth.” The spiritual leaders who spoke were Father Agnelo Gomes of St. Raymond’s Catholic Church; Rev. Mark Lukens from Bethany Congregational Church, and Pastor Stephen Hurkens of the East Rockaway Nazarene Church. Mayor Bruno Romano led the Pledge of Allegiance. Other speakers were Hempstead Town Supervisor Anthony Santino and Andrew Hedges, ex-captain with the East Rockaway Fire Department and a captain with the Fire Department of New York. The Mac na hEireann Pipe Band played a beautiful rendition of "Amazing Grace" at the ceremony.

“[We] give eternal light and peace to all who died who were victims of this tragedy,” said Gomes, “…and bring healing and compassion to all those who are still suffering from illness and injury, and the pain of still grieving families. Give them strength to continue their lives with hope.”

“It still feels like yesterday when the bright blue September sky turned dark, and spewed smoke and ash . . . ” said Romano. “We join together tonight in a small town family, and with villages, towns and cities and countless others across our nation to remember and reflect … freedom and liberty will always prevail.”

Richard Nogan added to memorial

A new name and plaque was added to the memorial in the park — that of East Rockaway native and firefighter Richard “Richie” Nogan, who died of a World Trade Center-related illness on Dec. 20, 2014.

Nogan was a veteran fireman with more than 20 years on the job. He responded to the first terrorist attack on the Towers in 1993, and again to do recovery work after the attack of September 11, 2001.

Former East Rockaway Fire Department captain and captain of the New York Fire Department Andrew Hedges spoke fondly of his friend, Richie, who he said moved his family to East Rockaway and joined the ERFD in July of 1986. Nogan spent most of his firefighting years with Ladder 113 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

“He dedicated his life to public service …” said Hedges. “When he wasn’t going to a fire here in East Rockaway or in New York City or in our surrounding communities, he was responding to national disasters with the Disaster Assistance Response Team. He went all through the United States … he used his own vacation time … he just wanted to help, that’s the kind of guy Richie was.” Hedges added that even after Nogan moved away to Georgia, he came back to help after Hurricane Sandy hit his hometown. “Richard Nogan had all the qualities of a true hero.”

Along with Nogan, the names of those with ties to the East Rockaway community were read, as a bell sounded in their honor: James W. Barbella; Dennis Buckley; William A. Gardner; James A. Haran; Michael J. Horn; Timothy P. McSweeney; Patrick J. O'Keefe; Andrew J. Stern; Glen J. Wall; Paul T. Zois, and Morty Frank.

Lynbrook

Hundreds of people gathered at the Memorial garden park outside of Lynbrook Village Hall last Sunday to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, where 20 residents with ties to the Lynbrook community perished.

Family and friends of those lost on that tragic day 15 years ago attended the somber ceremony along with police officers, firefighters, politicians, veteran groups, religious leaders and scout troops.

“All of us are charged with the duty to keep the memory of our loved ones and all the innocent souls alive and to keep their sacrifice in our hearts,” Mayor William J. Hendrick said. “They will be remembered always because of the many ceremonies being held today throughout our nation. God bless their souls.”

The ceremony opened up with the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. It was followed by a performance of the National Anthem by Daniel Mendelson, who also closed the proceedings with a rendition of “God Bless America.”

Deputy Mayor Alan Beach joined trustees Hilary Becker, Michael Hawxhurst and Ann Marie Reardon in reading the names of those with ties to Lynbrook who died that day. The list included 19 residents and one dog, Sirius, who was the K-9 partner of Lt. David Lim of the Port Authority Police Department and died in the collapse of the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Family members and friends of those who perished placed a flower upon one of the stones commemorating their loved ones when their names were said aloud. The sounding of the bells and taps followed.

Father Richard Stelter of the Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church performed the invocation for the event. Reverend Robert Walderman of the Lynbrook Baptist Church led a moment of silence and reflection and also blessed Lynbrook’s 9-11 memorial. Rabbi Sandra Bellush of Temple Am Echad and Rabbi Howard Diamond of Temple B’nai Sholom issued the closing prayer.