By Anthony Rifilato and Jonann Brady
About 200 residents gathered at Silver Lake Park for a vigil sponsored by Baldwin's Interfaith Council. The Rev. Kimberly A. Wilson, president of the council, welcomed participants, and after a moment of silence, local clergy led scriptures, prayers and hymns.
"All things have not been righted," said Rev. Fred Boughton in his remarks, but he stressed that those lost must always be remembered.
Msgr. John Bennett read the names of Baldwin residents who lost their lives in the attack, and the assembled crowd responded, "We remember." Baldwin High School's Symphonic Band and Concert Choir performed "Hymn to the Fallen" at the short but emotional ceremony.
And in the evening, hundreds of Baldwinites gathered at the Long Island Rail Road Station in a candlelight vigil organized by the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and the Baldwin Community Association.
The one-year anniversary was marked by candles, somber faces, tears and the American colors everywhere, worn in solidarity, as a giant American flag billowed overhead at half-mast.
"Last year we had people come to the train station to mourn," said Dee Cruz, president of the BCA, who hosted the evening's remembrances "It should be bigger this year. We should never forget."
A bronze plaque will be placed on a newly planted Evergreen tree at the station to memorialize those lost on Sept. 11 and the heroic efforts of those who remain, said Deborah Maniaci, vice president of the BCA.
At the ceremony, Maniaci read the names of those who lived in Baldwin or grew up in the town who were lost that day and asked the crowd to respond, "We remember."
Those names were: Alvin Bergsohn, Richard Bruehart, Joseph Koppo, Edward Geraghty, Thomas Hobbs, Joseph Hunter, James Kelly, Terrence Manning, Brian McAleese, Joel Miller and David Weiss.
On a patch of grass, slightly behind the choir, were members of the Baldwin Fire Department. They stood at attention, clad in their dress blues, with bronze buttons glistening in the candlelight.
"This is a very good ceremony," said Bill St. George, a member of Hose Co. No. 3.
The 25-member Nassau Middle Island Chorus donated their time to the event and performed rousing renditions of "Peace on Earth" and "God Bless America."
"It's very hard to sing this evening," said Bill Haasters, a choir
member. "You're thinking about the emotions and you want to sing your
best."
Many people said they where proud to be in the company of their neighbors.
"This is the greatest event in Baldwin," said Nathan Miller. "It's the
nicest thing they ever did and I'm glad to be in Baldwin."
Several Baldwin commuters who had taken the train from Manhattan and passed by before the ceremony started shared what is was like to be in the city one year later.
"It was a bit more somber and people were certainly aware of the day," said Baldwin resident Rich Rattoballi, who works in Midtown Manhattan. "The phones weren't ringing as much."
After a performance of the "Star Spangled Banner" ended the ceremony, Baldwin Fire Department trucks drove down Sunrise as residents cheered and waved flags.
"The pouring out of emotion will help the healing start," said Steve
Maniaci. "When people get together and share their feelings, there is strength in numbers."
