On the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, members of the Five Towns communities gathered at several commemoration ceremonies.
In Cedarhurst at Andrew J. Parise Park, the village held its annual memorial where local religious leaders, politicians, and the Board of Trustees honored the lives lost. Along with musical performances by the Lawrence High School String Ensemble and Vocal Ensemble.
The seven local victims are 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.
There's a solemn duty that falls on us, especially on today, because we have an entire generation since who've grown up with no personal memory of 9/11,” Village of Cedarhurst Mayor Benjamin Weinstock said. “To them, it's history for us is memory. That's why we must become the guardians of the truth and teach our children and grandchildren what happened that day.”
The Board of Trustees read the 9/11 granite markers and Village Administrator Jacob Plaut tolled the bell after each one was said.
In Hewlett at the Chapel of Peace, Trinity-St. John’s Church held an Interfaith Service of Remembrance & Peace.
It was stewarded by The Rev. Christopher Ballard and included appearances from other religious leaders. Religions represented included Judaism, Islam, Catholicism, Baha’i Faith and Hinduism.
In front of them sat a vase filled with four white petalled flowers. Ballard used them to describe the connection between people of all different religions and faiths.
“We are connected by one stem to underscore the fact that tragedy is connected and that we are all connected to that one stem,” he said.
They recited several prayers including “Mourners Kadish” a Jewish prayer recited for those who died and “Oseh Shalom” which is Hebrew for “maker of peace.”
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Expanded stories on both 9/11 ceremonies will be published in the 9/17 edition of the Nassau Herald.
