Mayor Altadonna and the Board of Trustees recently announced that the Village of Massapequa Park will host a Candlelight Vigil in remembrance of September 11, 2001. Residents are invited to gather at Brady Park on Lake Shore Drive on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.

Plainedge High School will dedicate its Sept. 11 Memorial Garden honoring the victims and heroes of the Sept. 11 tragedy on Sept. 11, 2003, at 7 p.m. at the high school.

Plainedge's Memorial Garden commemorates the sacrifices of Plainedge graduates who lost their lives in the tragedy. They include Andrew Zucker '91, Patrick Lyons '85, Kathy Mazza '73, Mike Costello '92, and Rocco Medaglia '70.

Plans for creating a Memorial Garden began with the Class of 2002, who wanted to create a permanent memorial to everyone within the Plainedge community who lost loved ones, or worked at the site, or volunteered with relief efforts. Plans for the Memorial were initiated and organized by students, whose goal was to $10,000 for the project. The original concept was expanded during the year, as the committee wanted the memorial to have a last significance for the families of those being honored.

Everyone in the community is invited to the dedication of the memorial, which is located in the flagpole area in front of Plainedge High School. The rain date is Friday, Sept. 12.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto announced that on September 10, the Town of Oyster Bay will hold a memorial service in remembrance of all those who died on September 11, 2001. The memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. at John Burns Town Park on Merrick Road in Massapequa.

"The tragic and horrifying events of September 11, 2001 devastated our nation and our communities, and the thousands of people lost in the tragedy will never be forgotten. Two years later, we remember all those who died that day - the police officers, firefighters, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters who were so senselessly and suddenly taken from us," said Venditto.

"In honor of all of those heroes whom we so sorely miss and in tribute to their memory, the Town of Oyster Bay will hold a memorial service on September 10 at 7 p.m. at John Burns Town Park in Massapequa. Families of the victims and all town residents are invited to attend."

The memorial service will include bagpipe music as well as vocalist Barbara Divas, with piano accompaniment. A color guard will be provided by the Vietnam Veterans of America.

The supervisor concluded, "Residents are encouraged to participate in this important memorial service, and join in remembering those lost on 9-11 and the spirit of America that can never be broken."

Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, on Monday, Sept. 8, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., will host a fundraiser for the Nassau County September 11 Memorial to be built in Eisenhower Park. The event will be held at the Carltun on the Park in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. The event is open to the public and the minimum cost to attend is $75 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the door. If you have any questions, please call 571-6000.

Participating restaurants in this event include: Areca, Baang, Bryant & Cooper, Burton & Doyle, Coolfish, George Martin, Ivy Cottage, La Bussola, La Viola, Moka D'Oro Coffee, The Palm Court, Picolo, The Pine Island Grill, Polo Restaurant, Robbins Wolfe, Stresa East, Tellers, Tutto Fresco, West End Cafe.

In March of 2002, Suozzi commissioned the Nassau County September 11 Memorial Project for the placement of a memorial in Eisenhower Park to honor the Nassau County residents who perished on September 11, 2001.

The committee announced a design challenge in September of 2002 and received 26 entries, each one more outstanding than the next. It was a very difficult decision to select just one, given the excellent caliber of each design. The chosen design, created by Striga GA, is the one the committee feels best represents not only the design specifications listed in the challenge, but also the sentiment that this design would signify.

The project goal is to create a memorial that marks a place of peace and reflection.

For more information regarding the memorial and fund-raising plans, please call the county executive's office at 571-3131.

County Executive Suozzi will this year continue the tradition of gathering together as a county to remember the lives of the loved ones lost on September 11, 2001. To honor and remember those people, on Thursday, September 11, at 8:46 a.m., the county executive will be hosting a moment of silence in Eisenhower Park on the dedication site for the Nassau County September 11 memorial. The event is open to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend. Parking field 6 will be used for the event. If you have any questions, please call 571-6000.