Huntington Honors Its Own Lost on 9/11

Huntington came together on Tuesday to recall its residents lost 11 years ago to terror attacks in a solemn midday ceremony at Heckscher Park.

Firefighters rang a bell as the names ofthe 43 Huntington dead were read. The Marine Corps League fired off a three-volley salute and veterans placed flowers to be distributed to families.Political leaders spoke to the quiet, respectful crowd who gathered under sunny, deep-blue skies that reminded many of that tragic day.  

The Rev. Dr. Luonne Abraham Rouse of the United Methodist Church of Huntington-Cold Spring Harbor and Rabbi Yacov Saacks of the Lubavitch Chai Center of Dix Hills spoke about peace and the need for people to get along, with the rabbi referring to the “shame” the terrorists had committed on humanity.   Town Board members Mark Mayoka related his experiences of getting out of New York the day of the attacks, and Councilwoman Susan Berland told of the loss of a childhood friend.

Related: Long Island Remembers 9/11 

While members of the Northport Pipe and Drum band led off the ceremony, a choir from Cold Spring Harbor High School sang “God Bless America” and other songs, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Insp. Edward Brady, commander of the Suffolk Police Second Precinct.

Tuesday evening, the held its candlelight commemoration of its late chief, Peter Nelson. The service, held in the park named for him on Oakwood Road, was led by associate chaplain Tom Petriano, who spoke movingly to a group of department members, friends and others.