With the second anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, less than a week away, local community organizations and government entities are planning to hold memorial services to remember and honor the victims and survivors. The Farmingdale Community Summit Council is planning to host a memorial service on Sept. 11 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Farmingdale Public Library. At the event, the Summit Council plans to unveil the much-anticipated monument dedicate to the Farmingdale heroes of September 11, 2001.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto announced that on Wednesday, Sept. 10, the Town of Oyster Bay will hold a memorial service in remembrance of all those who died on September 11, 2001. The memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. at John Burns Town Park on Merrick Road in Massapequa.

"The tragic and horrifying events of September 11, 2001 devastated our nation and our communities, and the thousands of people lost in the tragedy will never be forgotten. Two years later, we remember all those who died that day - the police officers, firefighters, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters who were so senselessly and suddenly taken from us," said Venditto.

"In honor of all of those heroes whom we so sorely miss and in tribute to their memory, the Town of Oyster Bay will hold a memorial service on September 10 at 7 p.m. at John Burns Town Park in Massapequa. Families of the victims and all town residents are invited to attend."

The memorial service will include bagpipe music as well as vocalist Barbara Divas, with piano accompaniment. A color guard will be provided by the Vietnam Veterans of America.

The supervisor concluded, "Residents are encouraged to participate in this important memorial service, and join in remembering those lost on September 11 and the spirit of America that can never be broken."

The Long Island Association of New York City Retired Firefighters is planning a Memorial Ceremony that will honor the Long Islanders who perished in the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Sept. 6 on the Farmingdale State University of New York campus, on the lawn in front of the Administration Building (Horton Hall). The public is invited, as well as the victims' families and friends.

Dr. Jonathan Gibralter, president of Farmingdale State University, will begin the ceremony with opening remarks. John Venditto, Supervisor of the Town of Oyster Bay, will speak on how the events of September 11, 2001 impacted his town and Nassau County as a whole. The keynote speaker, New York State Assemblywoman Patricia Acampora, will follow. Next, the names of the 383 victims from Nassau and Suffolk Counties will be read by approximately twenty individuals, including Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., former United States Congressman Rick Lazio, Judge Ralph Gazillo, Judge Joe Santorelli, Judge Patricia Filiberto, Farmingdale State President Dr. Jonathan Gibralter, and others.

The 40-member choir from the Upper Room Tabernacle on Deer Park Avenue in Dix Hills will perform as well as the Amityville Highland Pipes and Drums. Ken Dolan, President of the Long Island Association of New York City Retired Firefighters, will read a prayer that he prepared. Michael Safranek, who worked in the vicinity, will speak about his experiences and give his perspective on the tragedy. The closing will include the retiring of colors by the color guard for the Coast Guard Station Eatons Neck, headed by Chief Warrant Officer Mark Davenport. Other prominent members of the community will be in attendance, including Congressman Tim Bishop and Congressman Steve Israel.

"Almost instantaneously, people from Long Island - especially Long Island's volunteer fire departments and other people with rescue knowledge - responded to assist with search and rescue and the recovery aftermath," noted Ken Dolan, president of the Long Island Association of New York City Retired Firefighters. "The mere fact that the people of LI supported the effort is the reason why we're having this. There really isn't any other joint Nassau-Suffolk effort. We want to surpass the boundaries between Nassau and Suffolk and bring the counties together as a family."

Robert DeSilva, President Emeritus of the Long Island Association of New York City Retired Firefighters and Chair of the Memorial Committee, commented, "While our group is made up of retired New York City firefighters, we're acting as Long Islanders trying to take care for our neighbors. This is to show that we're all Long Islanders - and that we are very caring people."

"The purpose of the event is to bring Long Islanders together to remember all the Long Islanders who were lost on September 11," explained Rudolph Migliori, General Counsel for the organization. "It's designed to honor their memory and to bring forth hope and inspiration out of the ashes."

The Long Island Association of New York City Retired Firefighters is currently planning the construction of a monument that will honor the Long Islanders who lost their lives in the tragedy. The organization is also working with Dr. Gibralter and campus officials on the creation of a September 11 Learning Center on the Farmingdale State campus, in Cutler Hall. A 12-foot piece of steel from the World Trade Center, once part of the building's ornamentation, will be displayed. Following approval, fundraising efforts for a $3 million renovation will begin.