Wantagh remembers

More than 100 people gathered at the Wantagh American Legion last Saturday morning to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

In previous years, the ceremony was held on Sept. 11, but this year it was moved to the weekend before the anniversary so more residents could participate. Post 1273 Commander Mark Greaker said that there was a noticeably larger crowd last weekend.

“I wanted to make sure that people from Wantagh were able to sit and share a moment,” he said.

Chaplain Jack Bergersen read the names of 13 local people who died in the attacks, as Greaker struck a bell in honor of each victim. The list included victims who lived in Wantagh in September 2001 as well as those who grew up in the community.

Richard Sadowi, of Wantagh, came to honor his late son-in-law, Paul Talty, a New York City police officer who died on the 20th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center, where he was trying to bring people to safety.

“I’m sure he was just trying to do his job,” Sadowi said. “The whole family missed him a whole lot.”

Talty married Sadowi’s daughter, Barbara, in 1987. They had three children, Paul, Lauren and Kelly. Their youngest was just two weeks old when Talty was killed.

Sadowi said that in addition to attending Wantagh’s ceremony, he and his wife also planned to attend a mass in Brooklyn this week, and the service at ground zero.

There was a large contingent of Scouts at the ceremony, including Cub Scout Riley Wood, of Pack 191, who led the Pledge of Allegiance. Scouts also assisted with the placement of 11 red, white and blue wreaths and floral arrangements, provided by a number of Wantagh organizations.

Brian Howe, a senior patrol leader with Boy Scout Troop 96, was just 4 years old when the towers fell. While he has only hazy memories of the day, he said, he has learned about the tragic events in school.

“As a Scout,” he said, “it’s our duty to remember such atrocities and to pass it on to younger generation, to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself.”

Many of the Scouts who joined Howe were not even born when the attacks took place. They have learned about them in history class, or from the recollections of adults.

Many who attended the ceremony said that it still feels as if the tragedy took place yesterday. Among the speakers was State Assemblyman David McDonough, who reminded everyone that Americans must remain vigilant, because threats still remain. ‘Thirteen years has passed, but the memory lingers on,” he said. “We can never, ever forget what happened to this country.”

McDonough also saluted the members of the armed forces who continue to defend the country oversees.

County Legislator David Denenberg thanked an audience full of “patriots” for taking time to remember those who were killed in the attacks. He said that being a patriot is the one office higher than president.

The ceremony also included a performance of “Amazing Grace” by a member of the Wantagh American Legion Pipe Band, and a 21-gun salute.

Greaker said that the impact of Sept. 11 goes far beyond those who were killed that day. The many firefighters, police officers, rescue workers and others who spent the days, weeks and months at ground zero, digging through rubble, have faced major health problems in recent years, and some are succumbing to their illnesses.

“There are people dying today from 9/11,” he said. “We have to make sure we remember them.”