Candle lights illuminated the street at dusk and provided a reverent remembrance during the annual candlelight memorial service in honor of September 11 first responders.
“We the American people are morally obligated to never forget,” said Rosemarie Poveromo, president of the United Community Civic Association.
The annual candlelight memorial service was held on Tuesday, September 7 on the corner of 81st Street and Ditmars Boulevard to celebrate the victims and heroes of 9/11. It was a patriotic scene with hundreds of police officers, residents and government officials like Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, Assemblymember Michael Den Dekker and City Councilmember Daniel Dromm.
The night started with a police officer singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. During the ceremony, a spiritual music group performed and the pipe bands of the New York City Department of Corrections, the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) united to pay tribute to their fallen comrades.
Three memorial wreaths were presented to honor all of the fallen heroes from the NYPD, FDNY and PAPD.
“I lost a good friend, and I almost lost my sister,” said Ginny Specht from Astoria, who attends the candle-light vigil every year.
Riders from the American Brotherhood Motorcycle Club lined up and displayed American Flags.
Danny Barrios, 55, who lives in Bayside, is part of the 9/11 remembrance club that was formed after the president’s brother died along with nearly 3,000 people that fateful day. Barrios said he could have lost his wife that day, but luckily she missed the LIRR train she would have taken to work at the Twin Towers.
“We do this in remembrance of the people who perished,” Barrios said. “This means a lot to the people who lost someone.”
