By Mary Malloy
"And just in time, too," said Deputy Mayor Richard Meagher, president of the Village Foundation.
The bases of 10 black granite individual markers are already in place in the park, said Meagher, as are the foundations for three benches and three light poles. "Each of the markers represents one of the 10 individuals lost on 9/11 who had ties to our community," Meagher said. "All these items are expected to arrive for installation by our September 11 ceremonies."
Meagher praised the village's superintendent of buildings, Dennis McCabe, for orchestrating the delivery and installation of the project's various pieces, including the circular brick walkway. "Village Administrator John Mirando has also been invaluable in shepherding the project towards its expected successful conclusion," Meagher said.
Another person who has been instrumental in making sure the memorial is completed is East Rockaway resident and former New York City firefighter Peter Dixon. In a letter to the editor published in the Herald in September 2006, Dixon pointed out that East Rockaway had "no plaques, no memorial benches, no bricks imprinted with names to be never forgotten, no trees with names of the lost on them, no fountain ... nothing." He also said that there were more people involved in planning the 9/11 memorial services than there were residents who attended them. "I was personally embarrassed by the turnout in the park that night," said Dixon.
Dixon, who retired from the FDNY six years ago, was working in Corona, Queens, when the World Trade Center was attacked. He was an aid to his department's chief. "We were one of the later units to respond," he recalled. "After the second tower came down, they closed off all roads into the city, or I would have been at the command center, where other firefighters that I knew lost their lives."
After 34 years as a firefighter, Dixon retired just before the first anniversary of 9/11. "I used to look forward to every tour," he said. "I enjoyed helping people - but it just wasn't fun anymore. It was time to get out."
After Dixon's letter appeared in the Herald, he was contacted by Meagher, who said that the letter "provoked an attack of conscience" within the Village Foundation, which was looking for a meaningful project through which to make improvements in the village.
Phase I of the Memorial Project consisted of a black granite marker with flag pole and flag, and was completed in time for last year's services. Phase II includes sprinklers, special lighting and area plantings, as well as the new Memorial Brick Program. "Donors may make a contribution of $200 for a brick and have a brief message of up to three lines inscribed on it," said Meagher.
Meagher also said that an outpouring of support from community organizations and families and individuals has made the project possible. "We have initiated a Donor Recognition Program to try to say thank you to all who have been contributing," he said.
"I'm glad that there is some place to go," said Dixon. "It bothered me so much that we did not have a place to memorialize the victims. Now we do."
Forms for the memorial bricks are available at Village Hall, or by mail from the Village Foundation of East Rockaway, P.O. Box 375, East Rockaway, NY 11518. "Some 16 early-ordered bricks are expected to be installed by this September 11," said Meagher, "but we expect most orders will come in after the memorial is dedicated on that day."
Comments about this story? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
