By Liz McBreen
Over the past year, the center has raised money for the Sept. 11 relief fund and created a patriotic quilt to honor those lost. The center was one of the first on Long Island to gather supplies and ship them to lower Manhattan in the days after the terrorist attacks. The former mayor and the governor wanted to thank the members in person for their generosity and support after Sept. 11.
"We only found out about the visit late on Friday, so none of the members knew they would be here until today," said Nick Ventola, president of the senior center. "They [Guiliani and Pataki] really got to see the normal daily activities of the center."
Past President Sal LoPinto, still excited about the center's receipt of a state grant on Oct. 23 that will buy the center a new freezer, said of the impromptu visit, "It was great. Will wonders never cease?"
Meeting with applause as they entered the center, Guiliani and Pataki walked through the crowd, greeting members and posing for pictures with them. The two visitors then decided to show their appreciation for the center by serving members lunch and then sitting down to eat with them.
Supervisor Rich Guardino shared his thoughts about how lucky New York was to have a leader like Guiliani at the helm during a difficult time. Calling Guiliani the "Mayor of the World," Guardino explained that Guiliani saved New York City twice. "The first time was when he cleaned up a crime-ridden city when he took office, and the second time was when he led the city with a balance of toughness and soul after Sept. 11. He became the voice of America in a defining moment."
The former mayor thanked the members of the center for all of their efforts in the wake of last year's attacks, and for memorializing the bravery of the lost New York City police officers and firefighters as well as those who were going about their daily work.
"I know that this community was deeply affected last year," said Guiliani. Having lived for a time in Garden City South as a child, he sometimes attended St. Catherine of Sienna Church. Guiliani returned to the church several times last fall to attend funeral and memorial services of Franklin Square residents who died in the attacks.
Pataki thanked the former mayor for his dedication during his term in City Hall. "He's no longer the mayor of New York City, but he is America's mayor," said Pataki.
The governor explained to the members of the center that he and Guiliani were visiting not only to thank them for their support after Sept. 11, but also to recognize them as vital, patriotic seniors who are involved in the community. "Finally, the world is beginning to acknowledge your generation as the greatest generation, and you are getting the recognition you deserve," Pataki said.
The governor also promised the members that the heroes lost in their community on Sept. 11 would not be forgotten, saying, "New York City will rebuild lower Manhattan, and it will be bigger and better than ever." Pataki stressed that the center of the re-construction would be a lasting memorial to those who were lost.
He told the crowd that earlier that day, he and Guiliani had visited Christ the King High School in Queens, where he told the students about the importance of getting involved in the democratic process and encouraged them to vote. "We want the next generation to be as involved in the political process and the community as yours has been," he said at the center.
"I feel great being here," said Guiliani. "I know the community well, and it's great to come back and thank these people for what they have done."
Edith Puglisi has been a member of the Franklin Square Senior Center for 21 years. "I was very impressed," she said. "They both seem very sincere. Politicians do not always come across that way."
JH
