9/11 Memorial Moved Indoors This Year

Although rain forced a change of venue for the annual 9/11 memorial service at North Shore Towers, many residents still gathered in Towers on the Green to pay tribute to those who died that day and honor those who risked their lives to come to the aid of their fellow Americans.
During the ceremony, where members of Engine 251 were present, Board president Chuck Robbins read a letter from Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He pointed out that this was the first year since the Tuesday, September 11, 2001 attacks when the date was once again on a Tuesday.
“While we still cannot fully comprehend the evil that transpired on that awful morning, the incredible acts of heroism and compassion that we witnessed in the aftermath of the attacks are as clear and bright and as inspiring as ever,” Bloomberg wrote.
Bloomberg also wrote that, following the terrorist attacks, the City of New York grew stronger, as did civic unity.
“In every neighborhood I see a greater sense of pride in this great city of ours and a greater sense of community. I see resilience that reflects our true strength,” he said. “The attacks of 9/11 could have turned any community inward but we refused to do that. Instead, we continue to welcome people from all around the world with open arms - immigrants and tourists alike.”
While also addressing residents, Rabbi Scott Hoffman spoke about how a sense of hope can be maintained from year to year. He said that he believes that, in the end, righteousness triumphs over evil, as well as freedom over oppression, tolerance over bigotry and peace over violence.
“Although we mourn, and continue to mourn, 3,000 victims of those events of September 11, 2001, it’s also possible to hold out a ray of hope for the future and while we cherish the memory of those righteous men, and we will be touched by their courage, we also look forward to the promise of a new year and the ray of hope which will grow and be a light for all of us in the years to come,” Hoffman said.
Rabbi Michael Klayman of the Lake Success Jewish Center also participated in the ceremony. He told of some of his memories from the attack itself and of occurrences that followed it. Klayman also talked about how people can move on and the need to choose life and live it to the fullest.
The final speaker during the memorial service was Councilmember David Weprin, who also echoed sentiments of respect and appreciation for the heroes from that day and talked about remembering those who lost their lives.
“We will forever feel sorrow for the lives taken from us that day six years ago, but we must also be grateful that when the time for action came, New Yorkers did what they have always done - come together and care for each other,” Weprin said. “I cannot possibly express how proud I was to be a New Yorker on that day above all when people around this city opened up their hearts and uplifted our spirits even in our darkest hour.”
Phyllis Hoffman, the wife of Rabbi Hoffman, also sang songs such as “Amazing Grace,” “God Bless America” and the national anthem during the 9/11 memorial services.