By Angela Marshall
That morning, as dozens of Rockville Centre residents went about their daily business in New York's tallest buildings, two planes, hijacked by terrorists, slammed one after the other into the World Trade Center towers. In the confusion, terror and shock that followed, many found their way to safety. Others could not.
Within 90 minutes of the first attack, both towers collapsed in an unforgettable cascade of ash, twisted steel and concrete, trapping or killing thousands including many of the police officers and firefighters responding to the scene.
A third plane hit the Pentagon in Washington D.C. A fourth crashed in Pennsylvania.
The whereabouts of friends and family became all consuming for many villagers. Others had received calls from loved ones trapped inside the towers minutes or moments before the collapses and knew their spouse, parent, child or friend was probably dead.
It was several days before an assessment of Rockville Centre's loss could be made. Rumors ran wild. Village administrators took the lead compiling a list of residents or former residents confirmed missing by relatives on a make-shift memorial in Village Hall.
Soccer coaches, firefighters, a bride to be, all lost. At last count, 27 village or school district residents and former residents perished.
But grief for friends and relatives went far beyond the village lines. During an all-faith prayer service at St. Agnes Cathedral on Thursday, Sept. 13, the more than 1,000 participants were asked to raise their hands if they knew someone killed in the attacks. It took a moment for the grief-stricken to respond, but slowly hands were lifted all over the church.
Religious organizations, schools and hospitals all opened their doors offering counselors for those unable to cope with a world seemingly spinning out of control. The myth of America's invincibility had been shattered, giving many a first look at war.
Students of South Side High School organized a candlelight vigil in one day. On Friday, Sept. 14, about 1,000 people sang God Bless America as they walked the streets near the high school.
The village followed with a community vigil the following week, featuring speeches by Mayor Eugene Murray, Gov. George Pataki and the widow of Deputy Chief Ed Geraghty, a Rockville Centre resident killed in the attack.
Mary Geraghty fought back tears as she thanked the community for the continued outpouring of support her family had received.
The first memorial service was held on Sept. 17. More than a 1,000 friends and family paid tribute to Andy Rosenblum at Temple B'nai Sholom.
The services, many without the victim's body, continued throughout the fall and into December. St. Agnes held four or five a week, sometimes more than one a day.
And while the grief seemed overwhelming, patriotism and community spirit also grew. American flags were bought by the thousands and could be found on almost every block. Children spent hours tying ribbons in the shape of America's symbol of hope on fences in front of most village schools.
Hundreds also lined up at the Long Island Blood Center on Merrick Road the first week. Many were tired of sitting in front of the TV watching the heroic rescue efforts go unrewarded with no live victims being found since Sept. 12. Unable to dig themselves, they wanted to do something, anything to help. So, they gave blood.
Some Rockville Centre residents did go to Ground Zero, as the WTC ruins became known. Firefighters and police officers from the village worked long hours looking for the missing and removing debris.
Ground Zero was indescribable, according to Lt. Tom Montemarano, an RVC firefighter. He said it looked like a nightmare straight out of a horror movie. You can't imagine it until you're really there, he said a few hours after returning from the site.
Helping in big and small ways became a passion of many. Donation sites for clothing and equipment needed at Ground Zero popped up all over town, with two of the biggest at the Rec Center and Karp Buick-Saab-Volvo.
There was also an immediate need for money to help the victims' families. At least 13 families in the village had lost one if not the only paycheck. Children like Carly and Amanda Roman brainstormed for ways that they could make a difference and then they held lemonade and bake sales, car washes and more.
Village leaders and volunteers created the We Care RVC Fund to solely benefit village and school district residents who lost a family member in the attacks. They raised over $500,000 and more than 70 percent has already been delivered.
The We Care committee also created a booklet listing volunteers willing to perform services without charge to the families. It was filled with babysitters, plumbers, handymen and more.
Many of the victims' families expressed their thanks for the community's unceasing embrace during their time of grief.
Perhaps 11-year-old Gregory Cove, who lost his father, Jim, said it best in a letter to the editor. Thank you so much for all the things that you have helped us with. We live in the greatest community and my dad would have said that first. God Bless America!
