Communities across America turned out Monday in solemn ceremonies to remember the victims of the 9-11 attacks that shook the nation to the core and then saw its citizens rally in the name of freedom and vow never to never let it happen again.
One such village was Bellport, where residents joined elected officials, firefighters, scouts, and others to pay remembrance to those who were lost. Gathering under a huge American flag and a twisted beam from one of the World Trade towers, the citizens paid their respects not only to those who died that day but also to the many more who succumbed to the physical and mental wrought that day.
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“Everyone here today is part of a never-ending commitment to make sure the heroes of 9-11 and the innocent victims are never forgotten,” said Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano, who attended the ceremony along with Senator Dean Murray, Legislator Dominick Thorne, and Bellport Village officials. “The nation came together, and it is my hope that we stay united,” the Assemblyman said, noting that his fire department, Medford, lost two of its volunteers that day.
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“Thank you to everyone who came out on this solemn day where we have seen two generations born since the tragic events of 22 years ago,” said former mayor and Bellport Fire Department Chaplain Frank Trotta. “Let’s make sure we never forget,” he said, encouraging people to come up and share the name of someone they know who perished.
“Today, we recognize the thousands of innocent lives taken from us 22 years ago. Our community will continue to mourn the loss of family and friends who perished that fateful day,” said Greg Miglino, South Country Ambulance chief who noted the loss of four community members.
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Brookhaven Supervisor Edward Romaine, who spoke at ceremonies at Town Hall in Farmingville and the Center Moriches Fire Department, commented: “This is a somber day for America, but a day that we all became united as Americans when our country was attacked. We pray for those who were killed and those who became sick as a result of working at Ground Zero. We pray for our country and remember what 9-11 is all about. It's about bravery. It's about sacrifice. It's about the future of our country. May God bless everyone who died that day and their families and those who worked on the pile, and God bless the United States of America.”
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Robert Chartuk
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