Seaford Unites in Remembrance at Sept. 11 Ceremony
Seaford Unites in Remembrance at Sept. 11 Ceremony
The large crowd gathered on the front lawn of Seaford High School on the evening of Sept. 11 reinforced the community’s promise to never forget the terrorist attacks 24 years prior. Upwards of 2,000 people came to the annual memorial candle lighting ceremony to pay tribute to all those who perished that day, including Seaford High School alumni Thomas Haskell (Class of 1982), Timothy Haskell (1985), John Perry (1982), Robert Sliwak (1977) and Michael Wittenstein (1985), as well as those who have been lost since due to 9/11-related illnesses.
Among those in attendance were Seaford Board of Education trustees, administrators, teachers, students, parents, Boy and Girl scouts, elected officials, and leaders of local organizations and houses of worship. The event was hosted by the Seaford 9/11 Memorial Committee in front of the monument at the high school that includes a tribute to the five alumni and a piece of steel from the World Trade Center.
Guests arriving were given programs, candles and miniature American flags from student council members. A large American flag hung above the sidewalk from a Seaford Fire Department ladder truck, and red, white and blue flowers adorned the area near the memorial. Retired teacher Steve Bongiovi was the emcee, with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Superintendent Dr. Adele Pecora. The Seaford High School marching band performed the national anthem, followed by an invocation from the Rev. Joseph H. Fitzgerald of St. William the Abbot Church.
Retired Congressman and Seaford resident Peter King shared his pride of how the Seaford community continues to come out in large numbers every year to honor the victims and celebrate the heroes from America’s darkest day and its finest hour.
“There is no community that has a turnout like this, no community that can commemorate 9/11 the way that Seaford has,” he said.
Reflections were offered by Kenneth Haskell, brother of Thomas and Timothy and president of the 9/11 Memorial Committee, and Col. David Haskell, a cousin, deputy commander of the 3rd Special Forces Group in the United States Army.
“We have an obligation to be here for those who are no longer with us,” Kenneth Haskell said. “The best thing we can do for all those who have gone before us is to tell their stories. There were 2,977 that day, and thousands more since.”
The high school student council and past recipients of the Patriot Award presented Dr. Pecora with thousands of commitment to service letters from students, staff and community members. The annual tradition is inspired by the Patriot Award standards of service, character and commitment.
The Nassau County Police Pipe and Drum Band played “Amazing Grace.” Guests lit their candles during a musical tribute by FDNY firefighter Jeremy Riddle. The benediction was offered by the Rev. John Hickey of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, followed by the bell toll for all of the victims. Family members of the five alumni rang the bell in honor of their loved ones. The ceremony concluded with the singing of “God Bless America” by the high school’s Honors Chorale.
