Manhasset Remembers September 11

By Patricia Grace

The Manhasset Candlelight Memorial Service commemorating September 11 was again sponsored by the Manhasset Clergy Association. At 8 p.m., as darkness enveloped the Mary Jane Davies Green, residents lit their candles and stood in respectful silence as the service began.

Following the welcome by Rev. Thomas Hammond, pastor of Church of Our Saviour, Lutheran, the program began with all united in singing My Country, 'Tis of Thee. After an invocation, scripture and prayers, the Manhasset High School Ensemble, under the direction of Mark Van Schenkhof, sang Amazing Grace. Then, as the candles flickered in the darkness, those who had lost loved ones in the attack on the World Trade Center approached the podium and voiced their names. It was difficult witnessing that brutally long line of our neighbors, as each child, parent, relative or friend, spoke a name.

There followed a moment of silence and then a prayer for healing. Just before words of peace and benediction, all joined in singing America, the Beautiful. As townspeople wandered back home, there was a re-sharpened knowledge and pervasive sadness that so many died and so many innocents are left to reconstruct their lives without them. The Manhasset Clergy, by once again sponsoring the Candlelight Memorial Service, has brought the town together to remember, to heal and to show support.

Front row: Bajeet Hira, ministry and council, Manhasset Friends; Msgr. John J. McCann, St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church; Rev. Dr. Barry Andrews, Unitarian Universalist Congregation; Rabbi Jodie Siff, Reconstructionist Synagogue; Rev. Maureen Kessler, Congregational Church; Rabbi Abner Bergman, Temple Judea; Rev. Jimmy Only, Congregational Church; Rev. Sean Govostes, Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church; Rev. Jennifer Brower, Unitarian Universalist Congregation; (second group) Rev. Nicholas Zientarski, St. Mary's R.C. Church; Pastor Steven Tomlinson, Manhasset Baptist Church; Rev. Thomas Hammond, Church of Our Saviour, Lutheran; Rev. Joseph Costantino, St. Ignatius Retreat House; Rev. Dr. Paul Johnson, Unitarian Universalist Congregation; Rev. Stuart Clark, Community Reformed Church; Rev. Stephen Peverley, Christ Episcopal Church; Rev. Dennis Stouzas, Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church.
Photo by Chris Lopez