World Memorial Visits Wantagh to Honor Memories of 9/11

Proving that the bond that united us all is stronger than ever, several hundred people braved the wintry weather to honor the memory of the attacks of September 11, 2001.  Local residents gathered together this past Saturday to join the World Memorial in its first New York visit.  

World Memorial is a California-based organization that is currently touring the United States with a 60-foot American flag in recognition of the 10-year anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. 

Led by the Nassau County Firefighter Pipes & Drums and including fire engines from various Long Island fire departments, a memorial procession was conducted along Wantagh Avenue, starting at and ending at the headquarters on Park Avenue.  

The event began with a reading of the Pledge of Allegiance by Megan Fehling, the daughter of Wantagh firefighter Lee Fehling, who was killed in the attacks.  A member of the Wantagh High School chorus sang the National Anthem.

Craig Craft, the Commissioner of the Wantagh Fire Department, helped organize the event and brought the World Memorial to Wantagh.  In his address to the crowd, he emphasized the memorial’s message - remembrance.

“The effects of 9/11 didn’t end on September 11, 2001, and they still haven’t ended,” said Craft. “Everyday families miss loved ones, and everyday people suffer from illnesses from Ground Zero.”

The event also included comments by several of the Town of Hempstead’s elected officials.  Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray spoke about the annual 9/11 memorial at Point Lookout, and emphasized the importance of the community grieving together.

“That van has the names of thousands of heroes,” said Murray, referring to World Memorial’s 40-foot trailer, which displays the names of the victims of September 11th.  “When we honor the victims of the attacks, we weave grief, pain, and sorrow with courage and conviction.”

Murray also announced that in May, Kinlock Road in Wantagh will officially be renamed in honor of Police Officer Brian McDonnell, who was killed in the World Trade Center attacks.  Murray was later presented with a flag with the names of the victims of the attacks by 9/11 survivor Mike Hughes.

Other speakers at the event included State Assemblyman Dave McDonough, R-North Merrick, Nassau County Legislator Dennis Dunne, R-Levittown, and Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, who all spoke about how important it is to continue to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks.

Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos, who witnessed the attacks at the World Trade Center from an office building next to the towers, left the crowd with an indelible memory.  He showed the hundreds in attendance his mask - the same mask that first responders gave to those on sight at the World Trade Center.

Those in attendance also heard from Mitch Mendler, president of World Memorial.  He told the crowd the story of the Memorial’s original plan, which was just to feature the flag at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pa.  That idea, and the memorial as a whole grew to include over 80 cities in over 30 states.  He told the crowd that the Memorial’s flag has grown to represent the values of all Americans.

“The flag has been beat up, torn, and stained,” said Mendler. But guess what?  Just like Americans, it keeps going.”

The crowd heard last from Wantagh Fire Department Chief Jeff Lindgren who spoke of the importance of the servicemen and women and left the crowd with one last reminder of the purpose of the Memorial.

“Time keeps going by, and everyone deals with it differently,” said Lindgren. “Some of us constantly struggle with what happened that Tuesday morning.  Some of us only think about it once a year.  No matter how you deal with it, the most important thing we can do is remember.”