County Marks Anniversary Of 9/11 Attacks
Friday, 14 September 2012 00:00
Dozens gather for sunset candlelight vigil
While this year marks the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on America, Nassau County residents and officials gathered at Eisenhower Park to honor the memory of those who lost their lives. A sunset candlelight and remembrance ceremony was held on Sept. 6 at the county’s 9/11 Memorial.
“It was my distinct honor to host the Nassau County Memorial and Remembrance Observance to reflect on residents who lost their lives that tragic morning, those who responded to render aid to our fellow citizens, those who continue to give their lives from post 9-11 injuries and to say thank you to our first responders and our service men and women who continue to make sacrifices to secure our freedom and safety,” said County Executive Edward Mangano.
Members of the East Meadow Fire Department performed flag detail and served as Color Guard for the ceremony. Names of the 349 Nassau County residents who lost their lives in the attacks were read by family members at the memorial, which features two semi-transparent aluminum towers representing the World Trade Center towers, rising 30 feet above a fountain. The memorial also contains two pieces of steel recovered from the World Trade Center.
Family members who participated in reading the roll included: Margie Miller, widow of Joel Miller; Conor Cahill, son of Michael Cahill; Kerri Kiefer-Viverito, sister of Michael Kiefer; Vicki Tureski, sister-in-law of Steven Pollicino; Ursula Broghammer, widow of Herman Broghammer; Barbara Stern, mother of Andrew Stern; Rosemary Cain, mother of George Cain; Marilyn Weinberg, mother of Steven Weinberg; Jane Pollicino, widow of Steven Pollicino; Marc Wieman, widower of Mary Wieman; Sean Hunter, brother of Joseph Hunter; Linda Wilson, sister of Donna Wilson.
“On the 11th anniversary of the attacks we still vividly remember the horror of that day, and hold in living memory the names of our relatives and neighbors who perished. By remembering and honoring those who lost their lives, we come together as Americans, more united and more determined, to protect our liberties. Those who perished on 9-11 know that justice has been rendered by our troops,” Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos said.
Immediately following the ceremony, attendees participated in a moving candlelight vigil at the county’s 9/11 Memorial. The ceremony was sponsored by MSC Industrial Direct and McCourt & Trudden Funeral Home in Farmingdale.
Christy Hinko contributed to this article.
News
Wednesday, 19 June 2013 00:00
The members of the eighth-grade graduating class at Jonas E. Salk Middle School proceeded down the aisles of the school’s gymnasium in a ceremonial moving-up tradition, as proud parents and family members watched from the bleachers. Class officers led the salute to the flag, after which the eighth-grade chorus, conducted by Lisa Levenberg, sang the national anthem.
Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00
When Msgr. Ralph Sommer was growing up he found inspiration from the example of his uncle, Father Ralph Besendorfer. “He was a Brooklyn priest,” said Msgr. Sommer, who is known to parishioners as “Father Sommer” or “Father Ralph.”
“My uncle was a most powerful and delightful influence, happy, caring, and helpful,” said Father Sommer, outgoing pastor of St. Brigid’s Church, in Westbury. “I would look at him and say, ‘I could do that.’”
For a number of years, Father Besendorfer would come out to St. Bernard’s in Levittown on weekends to assist.
Now, Father Sommer finds himself about to become pastor of St. Bernard’s on June 26, succeeding Msgr. Gerard Ringenback, pastor of St. Bernard’s since 2001.
He doesn’t know if anyone at St. Bernard’s will remember his uncle, Father Sommer said, but “if I meet people who remember him from that time, it will be a nice thing.”
Born in Flushing, Queens, Father Sommer grew up in Garden City, attending St. Anne’s School. He advanced to St. Pius X Preparatory Seminary, a high school for young men considering the priesthood.
“It was a caring community,” with priest-instructors and students who shared an interest in exploring the priesthood.
For college, he left the seminary system for Adelphi University near his home. “I walked every day. We didn’t have another car.”
Adelphi offered an opportunity to test his vocation. He majored in psychology, “which I thought would help me if I became a priest.”
After Adelphi, he returned to priestly studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington. Upon graduation, he was ordained a priest in 1983.
Sports
Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00
Senior pitcher Anthony Semonella at Division Avenue High School has received a scholarship from the University of Bridgeport and has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at the collegiate level. He was joined by parents Donna and Ralph Semonella, Principal Dr. Francesco Ianni, Physical Education Chairperson Mauro Chiti and varsity baseball coach Tom Tuttle as he signed a letter confirming his acceptance to the university’s athletic program.
Photo provided by Syntax
Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00
St. Thomas Aquinas College freshman Robert Naughton, of Levittown, has made his impact known in the NCAA Baseball East Coast Conference. Naughton started out his 2013 campaign not allowing an earned run in the first 19 innings he pitched.
At completion of his first season Naughton pitched 58 innings compiling a record of 6-1, leading the East Coast Athletic Conference with an era of 1.54.
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Poet Laureate Induction - June 15
Island Harvest Benefit Run - June 15
Lazy Days Of Summer - July 12
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