By Howard Goldstein
The touching song about how Sept. 11 united and connected us was sung by Sacred Heart cantor, John Riolo.
"We were trying to create an event available for people who wanted to be together. It was open and accessible, which is why it was not overtly religious. We wanted to have a mood remembering those who were lost, and to show that the community is moving on," said Pastor Lori Cline, the event organizer and pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Bellmore.
The images and/or names of those who perished on Sept. 11 stirred the hearts of family and friends as well as strangers. What was not seen, however, was he footage of the collapsing towers.
"People need to be able to move on, not remember the terror. And the evening was appropriate to all ages. That's why we had no graphic footage," said Cline.
The three high school also had student speakers who discussed the impact of Sept. 11 on themselves and the community.
William Hanrahan spoke for Mepham, Lee Goldberg for Kennedy, and Calhoun's speaker was Martin Goetz.
Two interdenominational prayers beseeched God for His help and guidance through the confusion and pain.
In addition, a banner was presented to Mepham, Kennedy, and Calhoun, received respectively by Nicole Kleinert, Daniel Wanderman, and Nicole Schneider.
The banner was designed by Mepham student Rabia Choudry. Students from all three high schools submitted designs in June.
The banner hangs in the main corridor of the schools.
Firemen, EMS, and policemen came in uniform to pay tribute to the tragedy and heroism. The American flag was hoisted high in the Mepham parking lot between two fire truck cranes.
The joint choir sang songs of hope and remembrance. Lead by Bill Dione, the coming together of so many diverse groups was a microcosm of the community, said Mepham principal John Didden.
"People from all parts of the community came. It truly reflects the warmth and harmony of our community," he said.
"I want to thank the Interfaith Association, and everyone who made the commemoration possible, including Mepham band teacher Brian Neiderman, who accompanied the band on trumpet, and Darren Devitt, the technical director," Didden said.
"I think the evening went well," said Cline.
"I want to thank everybody who was involved."
