Several 9/11 remembrance ceremonies planned

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This Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. To commemorate the anniversary and pay tribute to the victims who died on that fateful day in New York, as well as those who have passed since due to 9/11 related illnesses, communities across the North Shore are holding a number of events and ceremonies.

The Glenwood Landing American Legion post 336 is holding a fundraiser on September 11, in order to raise money for the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, which provides support to first responders and their families in memory of firefighter Stephen Siller, who died on 9/11 helping others.

From 6 to 10 p.m. at 190 Glen Head Road, there will be an outdoor memorial concert in which all proceeds will go directly to the Tunnel to Towers foundation. With performances by local bands Chicken Head and Trilogy, attendees can bring a chair and enjoy the live music as well as pay tribute to those the community lost on 9/11. There is a $20 suggested donation and food and drink available for purchase.

The Village of Sea Cliff is holding a ceremony to commemorate the 20th anniversary as well. This brief ceremony will take place at the Village Clock in front of the Junior Library on Sept. 11 and will begin promptly at 8:46 a.m., the time of day when the first plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, between floors 93 and 99 on 9/11.

The City of Glen Cove will be holding a 9/11 service at Morgan Memorial Park. At the ceremony, which starts at noon on Sept. 11, Mayor Tim Tenke will be joined by local dignitaries, guest speakers, veterans, first responders and members of the Glen Cove community who lost their loved ones on 9/11. There will be a Color Guard presentation, a prayer service, a poster exhibition and musical performances by local musicians. The ceremony will honor the four Glen Cove residents who died in the attack: Edward Lehman, Matthew McDermott, John Puckett and Joseph Zuccala whose names are enshrined on paving stones that line the city’s Heritage Garden.

“For the 2,997 people, including four Glen Cove residents who tragically lost their lives on 9/11, we stand united in our commitment to remember them with honor, dignity and an obligation to protect our freedoms in their memory,” Tenke said in a statement.

An annual 9/11 memorial ceremony, planned to take place on Sept. 11, will be hosted by New York State Sen. Jim Gaughran and his predecessor, former State Sen. Carl Marcellino beginning at 6 p.m. at the Theodore Roosevelt Park Western Waterfront 9/11 Memorial on West End Avenue in Oyster Bay. The names of Oyster Bay residents lost in the Sept. 11 attacks will be memorialized.

“The 20th anniversary brings enhanced context because we're thinking back to what happened and the fact we lost so many brave men and women 20 years ago and have been through so much since,” Gaughran said. “Even 20 years later I think it's nice that a lot of the families [of the victims] do come back. I hope they receive some comfort in seeing that the community wants to remember and honor their loved ones who were lost.”

A  remembrance ceremony for the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks will take place on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. at TOBAY Beach. The ceremony will include a 9/11 light tribute that will illuminate the skies along the shoreline, along with bagpipe music, religious readings and remarks by family members of the victims. The town will also unveil new names inscribed on to the Walls of Honor that recently lost their battle with 9/11 illness caused by exposure at Ground Zero.

“No one told anyone about the health issues they would get down the road from the aftermath,” Gaughran said. “It’s important we honor those who have passed from related illnesses over the years since the attack and not just those who died the day of; their sacrifices are just as significant.”