As the one-year anniversary of September 11, 2001 fell upon a nation last Wednesday, a memorial service at the gazebo enabled residents to remember those who died and the heroes who perished trying to save them on that morning that turned America upside down.

Over a dozen Garden City residents were killed during the attacks last September and many neighbors gathered at the green to pray for the lost and console the mourning. The Very Reverend Dean Cardone of the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Rabbi Stephen Wise Goodman of the Garden City Jewish Center and Reverend Joseph Schlafer of St. Joseph's Church offered comforting words to a grieving community.

"We've witnessed the perseverance of God and have planted goodness within us," Father Schlafer said. "This anniversary can be an occasion of hope."

Clutching American flags, distributed by members of the Garden City Fire Department, mothers, fathers and children listened. The Combined Police and Fire Color Guard raised flags. The Garden City High School Chamber Choir and Women's Chorus closed the brief but poignant observance with God Bless America. Many local houses of worship offered services. Flags strewn Seventh Street thanks to the Garden City Chamber of Commerce and the volunteers who put them up. Then, as the sun set on a village that lost many, Garden City lit up with "signs of remembrance."

Over 100 volunteers distributed candles, along with luminary bags, care of the Garden City Community Fund, to every resident of the village, requesting they light the candle and place it on their front walk prior to sundown on September 11. Over 6,500 candles/luminaries were hand delivered to every home in Garden City. On the evening of the anniversary of the worst attack on US soil, a village flickered with hope.

With Sincere Appreciation - An Evening of Remembrance

The following is a message of thanks from Mayor Lewis and the board of trustees.

There are many things that make the Village of Garden City the extraordinary place that it is. I believe that most important is the people who make up our Garden City community and the caring for others that is displayed each day. Such was the case when residents came to the village's "Observance of Remembrance" and attended services throughout the day and evening at their respective houses of worship.

I do not want the village's program to pass without extending the board's sincere appreciation to the Garden City Clergy Fellowship and the Garden City High School for their significant assistance. We are most grateful to Robert Ludwig and the Garden City High School Chamber Choir and Women's Chorus and to the Very Reverend James Cardone, Rabbi Stephen Wise Goodman and Reverend Joseph Schlafer for their readings and moving remarks; and the Combined Police and Fire Color Guard.

As I traveled throughout the village that evening assessing the tree damage from that evening's wind storm, I was moved by the thousands of glowing memorial candles that were placed in front of virtually every home in the village as a symbol of remembrance. We thank the Garden City Community Fund for providing the candles and the many volunteers for distributing them. It was a beautiful and moving gesture.

As we said that evening, "God Bless Garden City and God Bless America."