Thursday, October 1, 2026
Even the angels wept Thursday night as about 62 people gathered aboard the Miss Freeport V at Freeport Harbor to remember the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001.
The rain came down so heavily at first there were doubts the boat would be able to sail. It could be heard even inside the Baldwin American Legion Hall, where the Rev. Douglas R. Arcoleo of Our Holy Redeemer Church in Freeport led an opening benediction.
There, he told a group of gathered motorcyclists how their planned escort to the Freeport marina was helpful.
“I don’t want you bikers to underestimate what you do,” he said. “You’re going to an event were people go to speak and pause and remember. You’re paving the way.
“God,” he added, “always sends someone to pave the way” when something important is about to happen.”
What was about to happen was the 14th observance of the fall of the Twin Towers. Once again, the American Legion organized this remembrance ceremony that ended with a cruise around Freeport Bay.
After the benediction and the singing of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Maggie Greene, whose mother is in the Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary, volunteer bikers escorted the mourners to the marina. Because of the rain there was only a six-bike caravan this year.
At the dock, mourners and dignitaries boarded the Miss Freeport and were greeted by the new captain, Ryan Cooke. Then the presentations began, including many acknowledgments for Cooke who is keeping the tradition of the ceremony alive.
Among the mourners: two Gold Star mothers, women who have lost children to war. One of them, Emily Toro, said, she was from the Bronx, but she lives in Baldwin and comes to the memorial every year. She said the Legion welcomed her. “It’s important to know the sacrifice our children make,” she said. Her son, Army Pvt. Isaac Cortes, was killed in action in 2007 in Iraq.
Also on hand was David Cockerel, first vice commander of the Legion’s William Clinton Story Post 342 in Freeport. He said the 9/11 memorial is a “profound statement make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
And then came time for the roll call, the roster of those who died on Sept. 11 and those who died in America’s subsequent wars. As each name was announced a bell tolled. As flowers were cast into the water, Tara, the pipe and drum band of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, played “Amazing Grace” and “Taps.”
