Remembering 9/11 in Wantagh

Posted

The sound of “Amazing Grace” echoed from bagpipes. The sun peaked through scattered clouds just after 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, shining down on an unusually still downtown Wantagh. 

Many of the 60-plus residents who attended American Legion Post No. 1273’s 9/11 memorial service said they still feel the sting of the loss of more than a dozen local people in the terrorist attacks. Residents also paid tribute to first responders and members of the military who died of illnesses they contracted after volunteering at ground zero and the subsequent wars abroad. 

Ken Kelly, the post’s commander, led what the organization described as a Patriot Day service on Sunday morning. Guest speakers, elected officials and neighbors from across the community assembled at the legion hall on Park Avenue — the site of the local 9/11 monument — to reflect.

“It’s still the same profound emotional feeling you have every year,” Kelly said. “That resentment of knowing that people from foreign countries were able to take out our buildings and kill innocent people.” 

About halfway through the service, eight red, white and blue wreaths were presented to the post from various community groups — the Wantagh-Seaford Homeowner’s Association, the Wantagh Republican Club, Boy Scout Troop 656, the Wantagh Preservation Society, the Board of Education and school district administration, The Daughters of the American Revolution – Jerusalem Chapter, Numan’s Florist, and the legion itself. Members of the Miss Wantagh Court helped place them near the memorial.

The names of 13 local people who died in the attacks — Richard Aceto, Gary R. Box, Dennis M. Carey, Kevin J. Donnelly, Lee Fehling, Charles W. Magee, Brian McAleese, Brian G. McDonnell, Joseph Mistrulli, Frank J. Sadocha, Robert Sliwak, Paul Talty and Michael Tarrou — were read aloud. Legion leaders rang a bell after each name was called. 

State Sen. Michael Venditto, Assemblyman Dave McDonough, Nassau County Legislator Steven Rhoads and Hempstead Town Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney also attended the service.

Vice Commander John Sottnik said that the ceremony is becoming even more significant with the passage of time. “Many people were too young to remember the attacks,” he said, “so it’s important they interact with those who experienced it rather than reading about it in a textbook.” 

 “We must remind our children of the history of the 9/11 attacks,” Kelly added, “because when the Scouts come, it gives them an education on what happened that day. The significance of this day is that we must always remember that there are people in this world that want to take away our freedoms.”

The service ended with prayers, the playing of taps and a gun salute. Kelly said that seeing people in the crowd tearing up moved the organizers. “We feel good that we can provide this ceremony to the community,” he added.

Wantagh Fire Department members attended the ceremony, as well as the sunrise service at the Town of Hempstead’s 9/11 Memorial in Point Lookout and other local gatherings. After taking part in the town program, Wantagh firefighters assembled at Station No. 2, on Wantagh Avenue, to remember three of their own members who died — Donnelly, Fehling and Tim Haskell, of Seaford. Kevin Regan, the department’s public information officer, said that members also honored those who have died or are suffering from ground zero-related illnesses, including ex-chief Bob Nicosia and firefighter Charles Cole.

On Sunday afternoon, members attended a Mass of remembrance for Fehling at St. Barnabas Church in Bellmore. Fehling’s firefighting gear has been preserved in a case at Station No. 1, Regan noted, saying that it serves as a reminder of his life of service as a volunteer firefighter, a former police officer and an FDNY member. 

In the evening, Wantagh firefighters participated in the memorial at Seaford High School. A common theme at every ceremony, Regan said, was that many of the students now entering high school were not even born on Sept. 11, 2001. 

“Sept. 11 will be forever etched in the minds of those of us old enough to remember,” he said. “I’m sure we can all recall where we were when we first learned of the first plane hitting the twin towers. We must all strive to continue to tell the stories of 9/11, and keep the memories of all of the victims alive, and resolve to never forget their sacrifice.”