The greatest gift our nation's seniors can give us is a golden one - proof of the nation's resiliency, evidence our citizens have the spirit to endure. Many are still feeling the pain of September 11, 2001, but they are enduring. Senior citizens throughout Long Island are proof that life goes on through World Wars, military conflicts and personal trials.

During a September 11 remembrance ceremony at the Franklin Square Senior Center, which is under the auspices of the Town of Hempstead, last week, the healing process continued and part of that healing process was symbolized by a quilt, made by some 25 members of the center and a special student.

Not only was the quilt made of a soft material with each square carefully made to represent each of the states of the United States, it represented the unity of different generations, all for the common cause of honoring the enduring spirit of America.

"It's been said time and time again that the terrorist attack of September 11 broke our hearts, but it did not break our spirit," said Town of Hempstead Supervisor Richard Guardino at the senior center ceremony, before the quilt was unveiled.

The special student, Tara McDonald, who, along with 25 seniors, made it possible, was in the beginning months of her junior year at Marymount School of New York, a high school in Manhattan, last September when the World Trade Center was attacked. "I saw the chaos that was going on. There were parents of people in my school who had died in the tragedy so I remember thinking that I wanted to do something and I came up with the idea for the 'Seeds of September' quilt," said the soft-spoken McDonald, who gave the 25 senior quilters the patterns and material.

Hoping to bridge the gap between the youth of today and an older generation, McDonald initiated the "Human Threads Project" by visiting the Franklin Square Senior Center and approaching the residents about her idea. The initiative was well received by some of the senior quilters. In fact, the senior center was McDonald's first and only stop.

"It's gorgeous and it's so nice that each of them signed their own signature," said McDonald.

The Stewart Manor resident who just entered her senior year in high school recalled being stuck in Manhattan after the tragedy struck a year ago, not being able to get home or contact her family. "I experienced it firsthand," she said.

A year later, she hopes the quilt will help bring at least some comfort to the Town of Hempstead, which lost 157 residents in the disaster. In completing the project, McDonald, who displays a maturity beyond her teenage years, was indeed successful in connecting with the members of the Franklin Square Senior Center, who keep themselves active and vibrant. "They're a lot like me. They have the same ideas as me. They sympathized with what was going on September 11 as I did," she said.

"This was a wonderful way for generations to come together and share their feelings and creativity through art and song. The seniors and Tara did a magnificent job that the entire community can be proud of," said Assemblyman Tom Alfano, who attended the ceremony.

One of the quilters, Zina Piazza, said those that died that day were on their minds as the seniors worked. The quilt, with each square depicting each of the state's flowers and a patriotic scene that was donated for the back, may have taken three months to complete, but it is a lasting reminder, as Supervisor Guardino said, of solace, comfort and healing.

"I think it's symbolic of what is happening now where, with the pain and suffering, we are able to grieve as a stronger United States. I think it's symbolic of how people are coming together," said the town supervisor who also lost close friends in the tragedy.

The quilt will be displayed at Hempstead Town Hall and from there, the town will look for other places to display it, said Supervisor Guardino.

Those who worked on the quilt are: Rosemarie Brockmann, Bernice Burton, Jessica Canning, Mary Condellis, Marie Cusamano, Sadie D'Angelo, Toni Durkin, Barbara Goodloe, Rose Gullo, Madeline Kopmann, Meg Lantz, Edith Lerstad, Mae Link, Marion Maciol, Pat Middleton, Angela Petillo, Vincenza Piazza, Carmela Raia, Julia Riback, Gert Rogan, Stella Saccone, Pearl Villardi, Lisa Wetterau, Evelyn White and Vicky Marziotto.

Sculpture Unveiled

Franklin Square resident Anthony LoMonaco, along with Supervisor Guardino, also unveiled a sculpture of the famous photo of the New York City firefighters holding up the American flag.

LoMonaco, 90, hasn't slowed down when it comes to creating symbols of American patriotism such as an electric American flag and another hand painted flag with plastic stars. The sculpture, he said, took six months to complete as he began thinking about it around Christmas. "I have a lot of things in my basement," he said.