On behalf of the Manhasset School District's 9/11 Memorial Garden Committee, I would like to communicate to you our heartfelt gratitude for the warm reception you gave [at the] memorial garden dedication ceremony. We are grateful to all the people who attended the ceremony, including the many community leaders who serve and lead their constituents throughout the year. Above all, we remain moved and grateful that the families and the friends of our lost loved ones found solace and a meaningful connection to this hallowed site on the high school campus.

To quote Mrs. Barbara Donno, president of the board of education, the Memorial Garden was the result of a "Team Manhasset" effort. The 9/11 committee consisted of students, staff and parents from Shelter Rock and Munsey Park Elementary Schools and Manhasset Middle and High Schools.

Individual contributions were many and came from various sectors of the school. Special thanks to Dr. Lawrence Bozzomo, superintendent, and to William Stark, high school principal, who were beacons to the 9/11 committee. Thanks also to Mrs. Maureen Margulies, Dr. Bozzomo's secretary, for her valuable advice and support.

Communication and publicity for this year-long endeavor were coordinated and produced by the hardworking team of Mrs. Brenda Damiani and Mrs. Eleanor Imperato in the office of community services, by Mrs. Deanna McCormack in the school's Publication Center, by Mrs. Arlene Razukas in the high school's Computer Center and, above all, by the Manhasset Press, the newspaper that is a vital source of information for the entire Manhasset community.

We are grateful to Mr. Armand Markarian, director of facilities, for his leadership in the coordination of the planning and construction of the site. Thanks go to the architect for the memorial, Ward Associates, who gave freely of its time and expertise by attending meetings and by drawing up the plans which became the beautiful memorial to our lost loved ones.

Special thanks to our benefactors from Unadilla Valley Central School District who attended the dedication. Along with New Berlin's community group "United We Stand," Unadilla contributed over $3,000 toward the student-funded memorial garden.

Coordination and cooperation between students, parents, central and building administrators, the SCA, and the custodial and grounds crew, led to the construction of this memorial. The selfless work of Theresa Manieri, Head Custodian, and Joseph Monda, grounds supervisor, and their dedicated crews, provided the seating and setting for the public. Mr. Jay Bloomrosen set up the district's excellent outdoor sound system. The music department, under the truly outstanding leadership of its coordinator, Ms. Barbara Tancredi, provided the memorable background and inspirational music led by music teachers Mrs. Eileen Murphy and Mr. Mark Van Schenkhof. Mr. Van Schenkhof's reading of the names of our passed loved ones added to the dignity and solemnity of the program.

The greatest thanks of the day, however, go to our honored and inspirational presenter at the dedication, Mrs. Laurie Spampinato - dedicated mother and respected community member and leader. Laurie's courage, compassion and leadership reflect the qualities of the loved ones for whom the garden exists. It is to this group of honored people that we bestow our enduring gratitude - we, the heirs of the good deeds of their lives - will remember and honor them in perpetuity.

Ken Dunn

Manhasset District 9/11 Committee

Director of Student Activities