By Anthony Rifilato
In a solemn tribute, the Baldwin community came together once more at last week's Sept. 11 memorial service at the Baldwin train station. In what will be the final ceremony here honoring those lost, the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and the Baldwin Community Association unveiled a bronze plaque, which lists the 10 names of those from Baldwin who perished in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center two years ago.
"I would like to dedicate this memorial to everyone whose life has been cut short," said BCA Vice President Deborah Maniaci at the ceremony. Maniaci designed the plaque with the help of Baldwin resident Margie Sivin-Miller, whose husband, Joel, died at the World Trade Center.
"Baldwin lost 10 sons," Sivin-Miller said. "We honor their memories by being here. But you honor their memories more by honoring the dreams that they're not here to live."
The plaque reads,
"What we have enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us. -- Helen Keller
"Alvin Bergsohn, Richard Bruehert, James Carson, Joseph J. Coppo Jr., Thomas A. Hobbs, Terence J. Manning, Brian McAleese, FDNY, Joel Miller, Edward W. Schunk, David Weiss"
"We honor the memory of all who were lost, including those who have been a part of the Baldwin community. September 11, 2001"
More than 300 people attended the memorial, toting candles and American flags, wearing red, white and blue, and holding their children as victims' families and community leaders gave moving speeches.
The Nassau Mid-Island Chorus sang elegiac and patriotic songs, while members of the Baldwin Fire Department, impeccably dressed in their uniforms and standing in formation, gave a salute to those who died.
Standing near the plaque, families of the victims held yellow roses and photos of the victims, and thanked the community for remembering their loved ones. "It's nice to see that you haven't forgotten," said John McAleese, whose brother, Brian, a Baldwin resident and New York City firefighter, died on Sept. 11.
Fellow Baldwinite John McAleese, also a New York City firefighter, thanked the Baldwin Fire Department for helping his family, which has lived in Baldwin for over 30 years, during its ordeal.
After the ceremony, Ann Marie McAleese, Brian's mother, lauded the community for its support. "This is where Brian grew up and went to school, where he raised a family," she said. "He loved it here and so do we."
After Maniaci read the names listed on the plaque, the Mid-Island Chorus sang "God Bless America," and then the crowd joined in. Soon afterward, the families began placing their flowers on the stone. Eventually most of the crowd went up to the plaque to pay their respects and placed candles along Grand Avenue.
This is the last year the BCA plans to hold a ceremony on the grassy knoll in Baldwin, to allow families of victims to reflect privately on anniversaries to come. "It's a lot of pressure," said JoAnne Bruehert, whose husband Richard, a Baldwin native, died in the attacks. "It would be nice to sit down and do it in your own way."
Although the community won't gather around the plaque together every Sept. 11, Miller said, "I think every year people will come and lay their flowers there."
