Over 400 people, including residents, firefighters, family members of the victims, and guests gathered in East Hills on Monday, September 10 to attend a memorial in honor of the 18 Roslyn area residents who perished on September 11, 2001.

The ceremonies also featured the dedication of the Garden of Remember in Arlene Park. The park was named after Arlene Fried, a resident of East Hills.

The garden is set in at the cross section of Great Oaks Road and Woodbine Road in the tree lined area of Norgate East Hills. It was well landscaped, filled with blossoming flowers, and even features a specially built stone patio. The setting is serene. Located almost in the middle of the majestic park is a large boulder size rock with a plaque inscribed with each victim's name. In the same proximity is a bench, which is dedicated to two distinguished brothers and firemen Thomas and Peter Langone.

Nine family members and friends participated in the program by speaking about the special way their loved ones -- and even colleagues -- affected their lives. Rabbis and Members of the Clergy led the audience in prayer, asking that their deeds be remembered, and their fine examples never be forgotten.

The memorial began with the joint presentation of the colors by Roslyn Highlands and Roslyn Rescue Fire Companies. East Hills Mayor Michael R. Koblenz delivered the welcoming remarks and stated that "East Hills and its surrounding communities opens its arms and its hearts to preserve the memory of the 18 friends, neighbors and family members who were lost on September 11, 2001."

During the memorial, a fireman paid tribute to his friends lost, parents spoke of their children taken from them, and even a son and a daughter spoke of the parent who had fallen victim during the tragedy. But all were appreciative for the monument, which had been built to honor their relatives and friends.

"Today, we remember the family members, friends, and residents from our villages who were taken from us," Mayor Koblenz also said in his remarks. "We remember their fine and admirable qualities; we celebrate their lives; and we honor the deeds of all of them, and the police and firefighters who lost their lives so others could be saved."

In addition to Arlene Fried and the Langone brothers, the other Roslyn area residents honored at the ceremony were: Robert Hussa, Marcus R. Neblett, Douglas Irgang, Jonathan M. Connors, Joseph D. Maio, Timothy M. O'Brien, Allan A. Shwartzstein, John M. Paolillo, Stuart Meltzer, Brett O. Freiman, and Michael J. Cahill.

The entire project was proposed, planned, and implemented by the "Mitzvah Day 5762 Memorial Garden Project" which was run jointly by Temples Beth Sholom and Temple Sinai of Roslyn. The committee was jointly led by Jodi Efros and Dan Solow. Other members include Margie Cohen, Gil Dick, Ken Fried, Nina Gaspar, Amy Kula, Richard Laskey, Dorene Sedrish, and Naomi Terrasi. The advisors were Rabbi Dina Klein of Temple Sinai of Roslyn and Rabbi Adam Feldman of Temple Beth Sholom.

Both the Reverend Dennis Carter of Roslyn Presbyterian Church and Rabbi Alan B. Lucas of Temple Beth Shalom delivered the invocations and Father Bruno Dekrem of St. Aidan's Roman Catholic Church and Rabbi Michael A. White, of Temple Sinai of Roslyn gave the benedictions. Cantor Ofer Barnoy led those assembled in the singing of America the Beautiful. Among the political leaders who attended were Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli, Assemblyman David Sidikman, and Legislator Craig Johnson.

The property was dedicated as a park by Mayor Koblenz, Deputy Mayor Noel Kaplan, and East Hills Trustees Gary Leventhal, Linda Nathanson, and Emmanuel Zuckerman.

The inscription contained in the program aptly captured the feeling of the ceremonies. It read:

"By planting this garden and by caring for it in all the years to come, we hope to participate in keeping alive the memory of our dear neighbors."