Once again, the Town of North Hempstead officials, led by North Hempstead Town Clerk Leslie Gross, gathered in the quiet grove of the 9-11 Memorial overlooking the breathtakingly beautiful Clark Garden complex, to remember those who perished seven years ago on September 11, 2001.

Opening the ceremony Gross said, "A life's journey touches many lives. Those of us standing here today were all touched by the events of that bright, clear September morning, until the clarity was clouded, and the brightness was dimmed. A life's journey touches many lives and in the hearts of those who remember our energy survives our passing. In the hearts of those who will never forget, we leave behind sparks of our presence. In each, our journey's end lives on. In love and in art we remember. In ideas and in wisdom we remember. In friendship and in fellowship we remember, in the smile or the touch of a child, we will always remember..."

The meaningful Invocation was by Rabbi Robert S. Widom of Temple Emanuel, Great Neck. Then the VFW of Albertson Post No. 523 presented the colors and North Hempstead Town's Patrick Tobin gave an absolutely moving rendition of the National Anthem.

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman stepped to the podium to give an inspiring brief few words saying that North Hempstead alone had 50 residents who died that day. He said, "We have set aside this quiet place in this beautiful garden as our memorial."

At that point Receiver of Taxes Iannarelli led the Pledge of Allegiance and then called for a moment-of-silence at 8:46 a.m., the exact time when the first plane went into the World Trade Center. He also called for moments-of-silence during the times the towers collapsed.

The Multicultural Peace Mission Choir, under the direction of Soh Young Lee-Segredo, formed after 9/11, then performed. The group promotes harmony and understanding of diversity through music. They first performed God Bless America and then We Are The World.

New York State Senator Craig Johnson was the next to the podium and he said he particularly wanted to thank the men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan for protecting us every day and he thanked the members of all police and fire departments and particularly the Albertson Fire Department and Rescue, as well as members of the VFW and the Port Washington Police, who were at the event, for keeping us safe. Johnson ended his speech by saying, "Say a prayer for those who are gone and call someone today to tell them you are thinking of them."

Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, who organized the first anniversary ceremony, recited a lovely poem by Sr. Stephen Spender entitled Truly Great before members of the North Hempstead Town read the names of residents lost on that tragic day, including Westbury residents Michael Boyle, Richard Bruehert, Thomas Deangelis and Wade Brian Green. Councilman Robert Troiano also paid tribute to David G. Arce, Richard A. Aronow, David J. Fontana, Ann McGovern and Thomas Strada who grew up in the Westbury-Carle Place community.

The final benediction was delivered by Rabbi Widom and followed by a gun salute and the playing of taps by the Albertson VFW Post No. 523. As the ceremony ended bagpiper Brian McGrane of New Hyde Park played Amazing Grace and everyone quietly and respectfully went on their way.