The Farmingdale Community Summit Council unveiled two new auxiliary monuments for the Farmingdale Remembers 9/11 monument at the Farmingdale Public Library on Sept. 9. The Farmingdale Remembers 9/11 monument was erected last year by the Summit as a means to memorialize the emotions and loss experienced after the events of September 11, 2001 and to recognize "the coming together of our community" during the difficult period.

The auxiliary monuments were added to honor and remember the 12 Farmingdale residents who perished in the attacks and pay tribute to the resolve of the community in rising to the occasion. One of the monuments contains the 12 names and the second contains the dedication poem written by Summit President Tom Sabellico, which was read by Farmingdale School District Superintendent Dr. Roberta A. Gerold on the first anniversary of the attacks. Many residents felt that the eloquent and moving poem captured many of the feelings experienced during those difficult times and, most importantly, recognized the strength of the community for all to see.

At the 2002 ceremony, Dr. Gerold noted that the poem written by Sabellico was "hard to read, hard to listen to." She added, however, that the remarks "give us hope." The dedicating poem reads as follows:

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.

The Farmingdale Community Summit Council continues to serve as a conduit for the residents, organizations and merchants in the Farmingdale UF School District community. Their monthly meetings serve as a forum for all organizations to learn about what each group is doing and get the word out about their upcoming events. Meetings are held at the Farmingdale Public Library, on the second Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. All are welcome and encouraged by the Summit to attend.