There is a notable new addition to the Roslyn Rescue firehouse on Mineola Avenue. A handsome memorial plaque, flanked by two eternal lights now stands as a tribute to Thomas and Peter Langone, the two Roslyn Rescue members who perished in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack at the World Trade Center.

The plaque was unveiled and dedicated last Sunday evening as over 500 local residents, including numerous firefighters and police officers gathered at the station house for the ceremonies. Members of Roslyn Highlands joined their fellow firefighters at Roslyn Rescue in honoring the Langone brothers.

Officials at Roslyn Rescue extended their special thanks to the Roslyn Heights Civic Association for their generous donation of the Memorial Plaque. The plaque itself was officially unveiled by surviving members of the families of both Tom and Peter Langone.

Robert W. Busby, a former president of Roslyn Rescue, served as master of ceremonies. Speakers included Henry Krukowski, current president of Roslyn Rescue; Rabbi Michael White of Temple Sinai; Chief Peter Liotta and Assistant Chief Michael Conklin, both of Roslyn Rescue; Nick Colyvas, training officer at Roslyn Rescue; Father Michael Hayden of St. Aidan's Roman Catholic Church in Williston Park; Craig Johnson of the Nassau County Legislature; and Wayne Wink of the Town of North Hemsptead council.

As in other ceremonies, the speakers remembered the Langone brothers' "acts of supreme sacrifice." Father Hayden noted that the brothers' "courage and commitment" served as their greatest influence on the general public, while adding that with the memorial, the firefighters' names will be "forever honored by the Roslyn community."

The most dramatic talk was given by Mrs. Shelia Langone, the mother of the two firefighters. Mrs. Langone noted her family's longtime connection with Roslyn Rescue. The last time she had spoken at a Roslyn Rescue dedication, Mrs. Langone recalled, was when a fire truck had been christened in honor of her husband Paul, himself a 33-year veteran of Roslyn Rescue.

Mrs. Langone thanked the Roslyn community and members of Roslyn Rescue for their ongoing "concern and compassion" during these trying times. She called the plaque a "beautiful tribute" to their sons. On a lighter note, Mrs. Langone imagined her sons up in heaven, looking down at the proceedings and saying, "Enough guys, let's get back to work."

Mrs. Langone closed her talk by asking those assembled to remember the many other victims of September 11.

In addition to the Roslyn Heights Civic Association, Roslyn Rescue personnel also thanked the following Roslyn-area merchants for assisting in the day's events: Steve Michaels of Milo Printing, Pasta Time, Bare Foot Peddler, The Ground Round, Il Sapore, Attilio's and Matteo's.

The Langone brothers were both longtime members of Roslyn Rescue. Tom Langone was an assistant chief with the department. He had previously served as a chief of Roslyn Rescue in the early 1990s. In addition, he was an officer with the New York City Police Department's Emergency Service Unit.

Peter Langone also served briefly as a member of the NYPD, before moving to the New York City Fire Department, where he worked for 15 years, most recently at Squad 252 in Brooklyn.

Last fall, Roslyn Rescue established The Langone Brothers Education Fund, designed to provide long-term educational assistance to the children of both men. Information about the fund is available online at www.roslynrescue.org or by calling 621-3899.