Assemblyman Tom Alfano toured West Hempstead, Elmont and Franklin Square today and was debriefed by firefighters from the three communities on their activities over the past three days. In addition, the assemblyman toured two schools in Elmont and visited the VFW where donations and supplies were being collected by the membership led by Commander Tom Bennet. At each of the stops, Alfano noted that he witnessed such "great generosity of spirit" the community has displayed over the past few days in the aftermath of the World Trade Center terrorist attack.

Just the day before, Alfano joined Governor Pataki in a joint session of the Legislature. Alfano reported that over $500 million was released to agencies for efforts at ground zero. Alfano, a member of the Assembly Leadership, was briefed with legislative leaders in Albany on the effort being led by Mayor Giuliani. "The Assembly and Senate are standing shoulder to shoulder with the mayor and the governor. Mayor Giuliani is doing a tremendous job and is leading an extraordinary effort that has united every New Yorker," Alfano said. After the session, Alfano decided to join many of his colleagues in touring their respective districts to gauge the relief efforts.

"This is one of the greatest humanitarian efforts I've ever seen in our community in my lifetime," said Alfano adding, "Everywhere I go I see faces of people who are involved and wanting to help." Alfano additionally highlighted the West Hempstead Civic Association's cooperative efforts with his office and the local PTA's and Fire Civic Association's cooperative efforts with his office and the local PTA's and Fire Department in alerting the community about the necessity of blood donations needed by hospitals. "When my office contacted them they responded right away and e-mailed the membership. The response was overwhelming. I can't thank them enough," Alfano said.

Alfano began his tour at the Franklin Square Munson Fire Department where cars filled the department's garage carrying supplies made up of food, water and clothing for the volunteers at ground zero. Firefighters who were at the scene worked with the Ladies Auxiliary and community volunteers packaging the supplies into boxes.

The scene at the West Hempstead Fire District was the same as volunteers were mobilizing packages to be taken to the city for relief efforts. Stacks of bottled water, Gatorade and juice were piled in the carport garages. In addition, Gatorade jugs donated by the New York Jets team were dropped off and being taped together to bring to the city. There, too, volunteers who were at ground zero related stories of their experiences and what they had to do in the relief operation. Emotions ran high at both stops.

The volunteers from the Franklin Munson Fire District who were at ground zero briefed Alfano on their work and their continuing efforts. Alfano listened to reports from Franklin Square firefighters Ken Doerbecker, Mike Abruzzo and Phil Malloy. They told him and numerous onlookers about their work and the scene at ground zero where thousands of people are working 'round the clock to save lives. Stories of volunteers digging through the rubble trying to help their fellow man visibly touched onlookers listening to the stories. During their discussions, car after car pulled up unloading groceries and hygiene supplies for volunteers at ground zero. Volunteers immediately were unloading trunks and boxing up the supplies.

Firefighter Ken Doerbecker noted that they were able to dig out and save three firefighters from one engine company buried in the rubble. Alfano listened on as he stated how they were able to work with the thousands of volunteers gathered at the site. Removing rubble and digging through the disintegrated cement.

At the Elmont Fire District, volunteers were resting after working at the Trade Center site as well. Volunteers told the assemblyman just how they were able to work at the site and do their jobs. "You can't use shovels because there is so much steel," one volunteer noted. Another interjected, "We were digging with buckets and our bare hands," said the firefighter exhausted from the incident adding, "We worked 24 hours straight under really stressful conditions."

Volunteers also were aware of the fact that community members were involved in the tragedy and were still listed as missing or "unaccounted for." "It's the waiting that is so difficult for everyone," said a volunteer at the Franklin Square Fire Department. Alfano noted that everywhere he went someone local was waiting for word about a loved one. "It's really heart-wrenching for our community but we have to continue to have hope and get involved to help the relief effort," Alfano said.

From the Elmont Fire District Alfano met with Elmont School Superintendent Dr. Maria Palandra at Clara H. Carlson School where Principal Matt Zagame briefs Alfano on how the school was coping with talking to students about the catastrophe. "We're letting the students ask questions and we are talking it out together," Zagame said. Palandra noted that schools are getting involved every way they can. "Each school is involved in activities so that students can express themselves in a positive way."

Alfano, Zagame and Palandra visited a sixth grade class at Carlson where students asked questions about the terrorist attack and what the country will do next. One student asked whether the World Trade Center would be built again. Alfano replied, "Absolutely," and added, "The president has said he is giving New York whatever it needs to get us through this tragedy."

Alfano participated with Palandra in a school district-wide "moment of silence" where every student stood up and bowed their heads where they could reflect and send good thoughts to the volunteers and families affected by the tragedy.

From Carlson, Palandra and Alfano traveled to Dutch Broadway School where Principal Walter Aksionoff and Asst. Principal Kathy Saffrey went to a fifth and two sixth-grade classes to answer questions and talk about the tragedy. In each classroom, students related their thoughts and feelings to the guests.

Ending the tour, Alfano stopped at the Elmont VFW where veterans were collecting water and getting it prepared to be sent to Manhattan for volunteers and ground support staff. VFW Commander Tom Bennet, Mike Tetro and Bill Coyle spoke to Alfano about their efforts. "We've advertised on television and radio for everyone in Elmont to get involved. We've got donations already and we're expecting more," said Tetro.

It was a very emotional day at each of the stops as Alfano listened to community residents who have been touched in one way or another from the attack.