The Farmingdale Community Summit Council, Inc. hosted a dedication ceremony on the evening of September 11 to unveil an artist's rendering of the September 11 memorial monument to be placed near the entrance of the Farmingdale Public Library.

Residents, appropriately dressed in red, white and blue, gathered on the library's grounds to witness the unveiling and listen to inspirational speeches from community members, elected officials and school administrators. Members of the high school chorus performed patriotic selections, including The Star Spangled Banner and district musicians played Taps during the ceremony.

"We've come together tonight to recognize our heroes," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Roberta Gerold. "It's those heroes that make our community so special."

Dr. Gerold, who led the program in the absence of Summit Chairman Tom Sabellico, welcomed residents, local officials and guests, who included members of the East Farmingdale Fire Department. She noted that one true symbol of patriotism after the events of September 11 was the reaction of children, who right away thought of ways they could fundraise in an effort to help the workers and families of the victims.

"We have the right to be proud," she said to members of the school board, business and community individuals, "and we are."

Farmingdale Village Mayor Joseph Trudden said that he attended numerous memorials and ceremonies throughout the day and he still couldn't believe that such a tragedy struck the community. He addressed the senior citizens in the crowd and told them that he knows how they felt on Pearl Harbor Day. The mayor also thanked members of local fire departments for their immediate assistance on that day.

"Our fire departments, Farmingdale, East Farmingdale and South Farmingdale, left their families and left their jobs to volunteer their time to help others," Trudden said. "For that I thank you."

Dr. Gerold thanked Jim Neuberger, a technology educator in the district, for his help and involvement in designing the monument. The superintendent added that the library is a fitting location for the memorial, as it is one of two major community centers - the other being the school district.

Since Sabellico was unable to attend the ceremony, Dr. Gerold read his remarks.

"These are hard to read, hard to listen to," she said, "but they give us hope."

Two towers stood like beacons in the night;

Two towers stood as symbols of power and might.

A year ago forces struck in an effort to take us apart;

Not just the towers, but the people, our spirit, our heart.

The concrete, steel and glass of the towers fell to dust,

But amazingly the spirit they stood for, remains strong within us.

Every physical part of those towers is gone, even the foundation;

But the spirit they stood for galvanized our nation.

The loss of people was hard to accept and understand;

We cried, we shook, then as a nation we each held out our hand.

One by one, we cried, family by family, we dried each other's eyes;

Community by community, we knit together to ensure America would rise.

Though our own foundations were shaken, they were not destroyed;

We prayed, we stood together, we gave each other our hearts to fill the void.

Heroes arose from every community, from every city, every place,

Firemen, police, children, teachers, every warm heart, every friendly face.

Many new "towers" stood up for America, helping us cope and heal,

We found that our families, our values, our spirit and heart were real.

Towers of concrete, steel and glass will definitely rise again in our nation,

We are just as sure that the sun will shine again on our generation.

Tonight as we dedicate this site to the heroes of our community,

Let us dedicate ourselves to two new towers of understanding and unity.

As we remember those who died, were hurt, and those who rose to the occasion,

Let us send out a message that we remain strong as a nation.

Knowing that that strength comes not from buildings or towers,

But from within the fabric of American communities such as ours.