Town of Huntington officials and families of Town residents who lost their lives nineteen years ago during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks gathered at the 9/11 Memorial in Heckscher Park on Friday, September 11, to honor and remember the residents and first responders at the Town’s annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony.
Attendance at the Heckscher Park 9/11 Memorial was limited to Town elected officials, limited program participants, and families of Town residents lost on September 11, 2001, who RSVP’d their attendance to ensure the service would adhere to New York State limitations on public gatherings and appropriately honor their loved ones. Visitors to Heckscher Park observed the ceremony outside of the 9/11 Memorial area.
Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci welcomed attendees at the ceremony, which was scaled down to ensure it adhered to the New York State limitations on public gatherings, and announced the Town’s new tradition of lighting the lamp posts lining the front lawn of Huntington Town Hall in blue to honor all Town of Huntington residents who lost their lives due to the national tragedy on September 11th, 2001; those who were lost on that fateful day and all of the residents, first responders and volunteers lost in the years since. The blue lights were installed earlier in the week and remain blue through this weekend.
The ceremony proceeded with Bill Ober, Chairman of the Town's Veterans Advisory Board, leading the Pledge of Allegiance, Linda Catania performed the National Anthem, and Rabbi Yaakov Raskin delivered an Invocation.
Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, Councilwoman Joan Cergol, Town Clerk Andrew P. Raia and Receiver of Taxes Jillian Guthman read the names of 43 residents and first responders who perished in the September 11, 2001 terror attacks as Bill Ober, Chairman, and Fred Amore, Vice Chairman, of the Veterans Advisory Board delivered a bell salute for each victim. After reading the names, each Town official symbolically placed roses in a vase. Brueggemann Funeral Home in East Northport donated roses for the ceremony.
A Moment of Silence followed, then Linda Catania performed God Bless America. Town Clerk Andrew P. Raia read a poem, entitled “Remember the Towers,” penned by his former New York State Assembly staff member, Jack Townsend, who has since passed. Superintendent of Highways Kevin S. Orelli also joined Town officials at the ceremony, which closed with the playing of Taps on electric bugle by Veterans Advisory Board Vice Chairman Fred Amore.
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