Thursday, October 1, 2026
As the sun set on Memorial Park in East Rockaway last Friday, the village of East Rockaway hosted its 14th annual memorial service to honor its local fallen heroes who perished on Sept. 11, 2001.
Hundreds of residents gathered to pay their respects as the Mac na hEireann Pipe Band played “Amazing Grace.” Peter Rapanaro performed “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and later sang, “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”
Firefighters in their finest, veteran groups and scout troops lined the memorial, and circled around the stones commemorating those who perished. Above them were two steel beams salvaged from the World Trade Center building.
“We are here to honor those that we lost that day, and those who had ties to East Rockaway,” said Deputy Mayor Theresa Gaffney, who served as the evening’s master of ceremonies, “and especially our first responders.”
Mayor Bruno Romano welcomed the residents and officials as well, saying that the last 14 years “has told a story of resilience. We will always hold a special place in our hearts for the victims, and the first responders,” he said. “Those that went in and out without question, and those that we lost that day. Our village will always respect religious, political and economic freedom … and God bless the family remembers who endured the loss.”
Rev. Mark Lukens, of the Bethany Congregational Church, said that we mourn for the victims, and for those who came after as they served to recover and rebuild. “May we all be inspired by the bravery of the men and women … and to work together to build bridges of understanding around the world.”
Stephan Hurkens, of the East Rockaway Nazarene Church, said that there are questions that we will never have answers to. “We know that one day these questions will be answered,” he prayed. “We pray that you remind us … that we will never forget our freedom, and may we cherish it.”
St. Raymond’s Father Charles Romano said that “when we lift our voice in hope … nothing can break our spirit. We are gathered tonight to remember and to pray … may we always allow the strength of our faith to bring us new hope and a new day.”
