The Southold Town Southold Town Firefighters’ Memorial and Remembrance Ceremony for the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks was held Thursday evening at Jean Cochran Park on Peconic Lane.
The Southold 9/11 Memorial Committee and members of the community placed 2,977 American flags throughout the park prior to the ceremony in honor of the people who were killed in the terrorist attacks.
During the ceremony, members of the Mattituck, Cutchogue, Southold, Greenport, East Marion, Orient, Plum Island, Fishers Island, and Shelter Island Fire Departments paid their respects and lay wreaths honoring the fallen in a ceremony organized by the Southampton Town Fire Chiefs Council.
Led by members of the Greenport Fire Department, a hefty crew of North Fork volunteer firefighters also took their annual six-mile hike, in full turnout gear, from the Greenport Firehouse to the memorial service. The walk took more than three hours.
Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski and Cutchogue Fire Department Chaplain Thomas Roslak made remarks at the solemn ceremony.
“This was a planned, well-funded, deliberate attack on democracy. This was not the first attack on our country. We need to always be prepared to defend our government and our way of life,” said Mr. Krupski. “In our world today, there are so many senseless acts of violence, while the actions of so many that day were shining examples of good — protecting our freedoms, preserving our way of life and restoring hope in our community and our country.”
“I am grateful for their example, an example that is critical to pass on to the next generation of Americans, of acting to help restore our community, with hope, not hate,” he added. “We need to use moments like this to help heal our country, to end the divisive personal attacks on each other that divide us as Americans. We need to see this as an opportunity to work together, to listen to one another and teach the next generation of Americans what this country stands for.”
“Anyone who will risk all to try and save their fellow man is to be valued and acknowledged,” he added. “Thank you to all firemen and police today for their commitment to training in action.”
“We reverently recall those who were most directly affected by this tragedy — those who died or were injured or lost loved ones,” said Mr. Roslak, in prayer. “In a special way, they recall the selfless first responders, firefighters, police, chaplains, emergency workers and other brave persons who risked and many times lost their lives in a courageous effort to save others.”
“We also remember how our nation responded to the terrifying events of these days. We turned to prayer and then turned to one another to offer help and support,” he added. “Hands were folded in prayer and opened in service to those who had lost so much. We resolve today and always to reject hatred and resist terrorism. The greatest resource we have in these struggles is faith. This 24th Anniversary of 9-11 can be a time of renewal. We came across the biggest political, social and ethnic lines to stand as one people, to heal wounds and defend against terrorism. Let us pray that the lasting legacy of 9-11 is not fear, but rather hope for a world renewed…. May we resolve to put aside our differences and join together in the task of renewing our nation and world.”
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