Solemn Ceremony Marks 19th Anniversary of September 11 Attacks

Garden City firefighters held a remembrance ceremony at the Village’s 9/11 Memorial on the Village Green Friday to solemnly pause and remember the fallen on the 19th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The program paid tribute to those Garden City residents that perished during the attack on the World Trade Center, the 343 members of the New York Fire Department, 23 members of the New York Police Department and 37 members of the Port Authority Police Department killed, as well as those who have died of 9/11-related illnesses.

Father Evans of Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church in Queens, NY offered the invocation and benediction. Chief Thomas Strysko hopes the Village’s memorial serves as a daily reminder. "Today, we solemnly pause and remember the fallen. As time moves forward and new generations are born, it’s important to reflect on the events of that day so they are not forgotten," he said. "Let this memorial provide all of us here in Garden City with a daily reminder to take nothing for granted, appreciate our freedoms as they are not free, count our blessings, strive to help our fellow man and cherish our friends and families."

On behalf of the Garden City community, Mayor Theresa Trouvé thanked Chief Strysko and members of the Garden City Fire Department for conducting such a touching ceremony. “Our community looks forward each year to the opportunity to focus on the tragedy of 9/11, 2001. It is true that we will always think of the great losses with regret, but we are also filled with the warm remembrance of those we loved dearly and with whom we spent so many wonderful hours. Our firefighters outdo themselves each year to provide a setting in which we can think of our loved ones together once again, and we thank them. I know that we will never forget.”

Fellow Board members as well as members of Garden City’s executive staff joined Mayor Trouvé on the Village Green. Members of a local Boy Scout troop also attended, as did local representatives, including Nassau County Legislator Laura Schaefer.

A bell tolled after the reading of each of the 23 residents’ names, which are etched in the memorial monument stone on the Village Green. The playing of Taps followed.