Residents of the Five Towns and the surrounding communities will gather at Andrew J. Parise Park, in Cedarhurst to remember those who lost their lives 24 years ago, in the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed by four hijacked airplanes, two of which crashed into the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center, one of which into the Pentagon and one rerouted and crashed in Shanksville, PA. on that Tuesday.
Seven residents of the Five Towns and connected communities lost their lives that day: Thomas Jurgens, 27; Neil Levin, 47; Bettina Browne-Radburn, 49; Joseph Rivelli Jr., 43; Kevin O’Rourke, 44; Howard Selwyn, 47 and Ira Zaslow, 55.
“For nearly 24 years, our community has come together at Andrew J. Parise Park, for the beautiful living memorial and the brainchild of war hero and former Mayor Andrew Parise — to honor the lives lost and the heroes of September 11th.” Assemblyman and Deputy Mayor of Cedarhurst Ari Brown wrote in an email.
The Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department along with neighboring departments, local politicians, religious leaders, school organizations, village officials and the Lawrence-Cedarhurst American Legion will be in attendance.
The ceremony begins with the Lawrence High School band performing a rendition of “America” by Michael Francis Smith, followed by the LCFD’s presentation of the colors and the Lawrence High School vocal ensemble’s performance of the national anthem.
“This memorial is not only a solemn place of remembrance, but also a symbol of unity,” Brown wrote. “Just as important, we must also remember September 12th — the day America stood together as one people, bound by courage, strength, and love of country.”
JoMarie Capone, former village clerk has been coordinating this ceremony for over 20 years. She arranges all the clergy speakers including at least one Rabbi and Priest or Deacon.
“We honor those who are on our memorial wall and monument, they all lived in the Lawrence School District,” Capone said. “I think it’s an honor for us to do it, Mayor Parise put his heart and soul into it and designed the whole area. What a tragedy 9/11 was, it’s just our little way of remembering them and that awful day.”
County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s nephew, Thomas Jurgens, was one of the lives lost in the Five Towns.
“Under Mayor Parise and continued by Mayor Weinstock, Cedarhurst holds a very special memorial for 911 remembering those in the community who lost their lives,” Blakeman wrote in a text. “Including my nephew SGT Tommy Jurgens, Firefighter Kevin O’Rourke, Firefighter Joseph Rivoli, my dear friend Neil Levin and others. We remember their bravery and dedication on this solemn day and we will never forget their sacrifice.”
Village trustees will acknowledge the granite markers in Cedarhurst Park, part of the 9/11 memorials, which stands year round.
The ceremony closed with a moment of silence, “Taps,” Lawrence High Vocal Ensemble’s rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “God Bless America,” and retiring of the colors by the Lawrence Cedarhurst Fire Department and Deacon Tom Costello of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Inwood.
The 2025 remembrance ceremony will be on Sept. 11 at 4 p.m. at Andrew J. Parise Cedarhurst Park, 235 Cedarhurst Ave., in Cedarhurst.
