Thursday, October 1, 2026
More than 100 residents gathered at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park on Sept. 11 to honor the 25 individuals from Oyster Bay and East Norwich who were killed in the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.
State Sen. Jack Martins described the attacks as “one of the toughest moments in our country’s history,” but added that “the resilience that we showed in caring for each other and the support we gave each other in the aftermath, once we truly realized the cost of that day in human life,” remain one of the most enduring lessons Martins said he learned from the attacks.
The memorial was organized by Martins.The ceremony was launched by former state Sen. Carl Marcellino, who represented Oyster Bay from 1995 to 2018. Local officials and civic leaders were in attendance, including members of the Syosset VFW, who led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Firefighters from the Oyster Bay, Bayville, Atlantic Steamer Fire Co. No. 1, Locust Valley and East Norwich departments participated, as did members of Oyster Bay Boy Scouts Troop 253.
Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joe Saladino acknowledged the loss suffered on the day of the attacks and in the years that followed. But he also emphasized the strength of the country and its people.
“We’re here to say thank you to our firefighters who make such a difference, and we’re here to ensure that democracy stands strong,” he said. “We are united as Americans, and our beliefs and freedom are earned in so many ways, including with the bloodshed of others and our veterans among everyone here today.”
The Oyster Bay Community Band, led by lifelong resident Stephen Walker, provided music for the ceremony, playing “The Star Spangled Banner,” “Evening Prayer,” “Hymn to the Fallen,” and “Taps.”
Other speakers at the memorial include Rabbi Jason Fruithandler, who leads the Woodbury Jewish Center and Ava Walia, a Syosset eighth-grader who was named the National All-American Miss Nassau County Pre-Teen. The names of those from Oyster Bay and East Norwich who died in the Sept. 11 attacks were read aloud byBrookville Mayor Daniel Serota and Oyster Bay Town Clerk Richard Lamarca.
Each name was followed by the ringing of a bell: Joshua Todd Aron, Timothy Byrne, Christopher Ciafardini, Michael A. Friedman, Peter Victor Genco, Wade Green, Brooke Alexandra Jackman, Joseph A. Kelly, Thomas A. Mahon, Lester Vincent Marino, Edward J. Papa, Bernard E. Patterson, Laurence Polatsch, Bart J. Ruggiere, Jonathan S. Ryan, Francis John Sadocha, John “Pepe” Salerno, Lt. Michael Shea, Adriane V. Scibetta, Christopher Paul Slattery, Michael Taddonio, Daniel P. Trant, Frederick Thomas Varacchi, Joshua S. Vitale, Gabriela Silvina Waisman.
