Community Corner

Sachem Patch Remembers September 11

Twenty four victims from Sachem community perished on day of infamy.

In the modern era, there has never been an event as epic as September 11 to send such horrific rippling shock waves through the world. 

Of the thousands that passed away tragically that day, 24 hailed from the Sachem community. From firefighters to everyday working people, Sachem lost loved ones, fathers, mothers, children, siblings uncles and aunts. Sachem lost good people. 

And while their lives were cut far too short, their memories will live on forever.

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Sachem Patch wishes to remember:

  • FF James Amato, Lake Ronkonkoma
  • Joshua Birnbaum, Holbrook
  • FF Peter Brennan, Ronkonkoma
  • FF Daniel Brethel, Farmingville
  • FF John Crisci, Holbrook
  • FF Martin Demeo, Farmingville
  • Jerome Dominguez, Holtsville
  • Dolores Fanelli, Farmingville
  • Cynthia Giugliano, Nesconset
  • FF Timothy Higgins, Farmingville
  • Kris Hughes, Nesconset
  • Joseph Maloney, Farmingville
  • FF Ray Meisenheimer, Holtsville
  • FF Michael Mullin, Holbrook
  • FF John Napolitano, Ronkonkoma
  • Frank Niestadt, Jr., Ronkonkoma
  • PO Glen Pettit, Ronkonkoma
  • FF Ed Rall, Holbrook
  • FF Michael Russo, Sr., Nesconset
  • FF Gerard Schrang, Holbrook
  • Dianne Signer, Holbrook
  • FF Stanley Smagala, Jr., Holbrook
  • FF Lawrence Stack, Lake Ronkonkoma
  • FF Daniel Suhr, Nesconset

What they're saying?

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Suffolk County Exec. Steve Levy: "On September 11, we are all poignantly reminded that America has never been in short supply of heroes and that our resolve as never been more enduring."

NYS Sen. Brian X. Foley: "Today is a somber day in our nation, one for reflection and remembrance. We share with the Sachem Community the sense of loss and sorrow and turn our attention to helping the families that were left behind."

Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer William Lindsay: "I believe that every American remembers the terrorist attacks of 9/11 every single day. Those cowardly attacks on innocent human beings changed the way we look at the world. But those attacks also made us stronger, and deepened the powerful bonds that tie us together as Americans. As we pause Saturday to remember those that died in those attacks, we should also strengthen our resolve to continue the war on terror and build a powerful sense of community in our country."

Suffolk County Leg. Jack Eddington: "This is a solemn day in American history that should unify all Americans and show that together we are of one mind, one purpose, and one resolve: freedom."

Suffolk County Leg. Tom Muratore:  "September 11 is a day we must never forget.  It's a day that ordinary citizens, police officers, EMS workers, firefighters and members of our military made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting the freedoms that we enjoy as citizens of the United States."

Shane Chambers , a stockbroker at PHD Capital in Holtsville:  "I remember feeling a sense of panic, because I had friends in the building, and you know all communications were shut off.  I felt helpless.  I wanted to do something, but I didn't know what to do.  I felt like we were in World War III. "

Frank Trotta, former mayor of the Village of Bellport and current owner of Fire News, a publication that is directed at fire and EMS volunteers in New York State, Long Island and New Jersey, with three separate editions: "Nine years later, I think that we should never forget the sacrifices that everybody made; for the volunteers, for those people who have perished, for the families, all of us should never forget.  It's such a hard time for so many families. This anniversary the one thing that they have is the comfort of each other during this anniversary time."

Gerard Senese, owner of Ryu Shu Kan, Japanese Arts Center in Farmingville: "One of my associate black belts is a NYC police detective. He was there [at the World Trade Center] that day and basically for the next month after, and he's shown me many pictures of what he went through, and what all the first responders went through.  He's since retired, and has fought a lot of health ailments that he's had since then, so the day reminds me of the sacrifices, not only of the victims, but of the first responders and the people that really were there the whole time afterwards ... We always hope and pray that the politicians are going to do the right thing by them."

Tony Mavruk, manager of the Tiki Hookah Bar in Farmingville:  "The victims of 9/11 will never be forgotten; they'll always be in our hearts.  It was a horrible thing that happened and I feel for the families that lost their lives, their husbands, their wives, their kids.  They'll probably hurt on 9/11 every year."

Don, a retired NYC firefighter living on Long Island:  "I'm broken-hearted.  A lot of my friends were killed that day.  I'm going to the tribute at my firehouse.  Every firehouse has a moment of silence at the exact time when the buildings were struck."

Dougy Brohan, owner of Bruno's Village Restaurant in Lake Ronkonkoma:  "Our sympathies go out to all the families that lost loved ones.  Sometimes we all, as Americans, forget about that day.  It's always going to be in our minds and in our hearts.  Never let it happen again.  To all our troops, I'd like to thank them.  We lost a lot of people in the Ronkonkoma area; a lot of good people:  Youth, volunteers from Sachem, Connetquot, Smithtown, and the whole Five Towns.  We lost some really great people in the prime of their lives, and no Mosque — that's sacred ground."

Matt DiStefano, a special education teacher in Sachem and bartender at Bruno's:  "It's one of those days where it just kind of brings you back to that moment, that day; I remember the kids I had in class that year.  I had some friends who worked in the buildings; thank God they got to work late, or I'd have been going to funerals.  The kids in my class now [ages 9 to 12], they don't really remember 9/11.  They were in second grade.  On Monday when we get back I'll address it."

Stanley Przedwiecki, a NYC police officer living in the Sachem area: "It's really touching, you get to remember the [officers] who came before you, and all the hard work they did; those that went into the burning buildings and saved lives, not just police but firefighters, EMS and all first responders that dedicate their everyday to serving the public."

Dan Hill, a salesman who grew up in Lake Grove:  "My dad worked on the World Trade Center as an iron maker in the '70s.  I called him that day and his first words were, before the second building fell, 'Osama Bin Laden', it was the first time I'd ever heard his name.  He watched TV so much, like CNN, about the upstart of the Muslim fundamentalists; he was 80 and retired."  He added, "Donald Trump is trying to buy the guy out who owns the land and wants to build the Mosque ... It's a great PR move; I know him, it's probably a great real estate investment as well."

Howard Braff, branch owner of PHD Capital in Holtsville: "It's our modern day Pearl Harbor.  Let's remember that today Japan is one of our best business partners and allies—so there is hope for the future."

T.J. Clemente, Patchogue resident and reporter for Dan's Papers in the Hamptons: "September 11 will forever remind us how sacred life is, how tragic untimely death can be and what hatred can do.  The love created by the events of that day is the true memorial to the almost 3000 souls that perished in the tragedy.  Those left behind to rebuild their lives know the true cost paid by the ones whom they loved so dearly."

Cindi Sansone-Braff, Patchogue resident, author of Grant Me a Higher Love: "Nine years ago, on 9/11, collectively we sat in front of our televisions, watching in abject terror as our world changed for the worst, in record time. In honor of those who have perished in the most horrific of ways, let us all do something today to change our world for the better, in record time."

Sachem Public Library Board Trustee Denis Flavin: "Time is passing. Yet for me, there will be no forgetting September11. Wherever you may be tomorrow morning, please pause to take a moment to remember all those who lost their lives that fateful, tragic day. And pray. Pray that each one of those whose lives ended so brutally and unnecessarily, may rest in peace in God's embrace. Always remember. Please. And, never forget."

Sachem East Football Coach Brian Harvey: "It is a time remember, reflect, and pay tribute to what we have as Americans.  9/11 has touched us all very deeply... our prayers and thoughts are with those who lost loved ones on this day.  God Bless America! United WE stand!" 

Here are some 9/11 Memorial Tributes to attend:

Ronkonkoma

  • Candlelight vigil
  • Lakeland Fire Department's Garden of Heroes at 929 Johnson Ave, Ronkonkoma, starting at 7 p.m.

Holtsville

  • Girl Scout Troop 3138 will hold a candlelight vigil
  •  7:30 p.m. at Holtsville Fire Department, 1025 Waverly Ave. Call 631-475-5238.

 

Seaside 9/11 Memorial

  • Town Park Point Lookout on Lido Boulevard in Point Lookout
  • Saturday, September 11
  • 7:30 a.m.

9/11 Fundraiser in Honor of Fallen FDNY Responder

  • Hofstra University, Hempstead Turnpike, Hempstead, NY
  •  Saturday, September 11
  • 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Phone: 631-235-5307

9/11 Memorial Service

  • Clark Botanic Garden, 193 I U Willets Rd, Alberston, NY
  • Saturday, September 11
  • 10 a.m.
  • Phone: (516) 869-7794 

 Peace Garden Dedication

  • Islamic Center of Long Island, 835 Brush Hollow Rd, Westbury, NY
  • Saturday, September 11
  • 1:00 p.m.
  • Phone: 516-333-3495
  • Website: http://www.icliny.org

Bellmore Fire Dept. 9/11 Ceremony

  • Bellmore Fire Department, 230 Pettit Ave, Bellmore, NY 11710
  • Saturday, September 11
  • 3:30 p.m.

9/11 Memorial NASCAR Stock Car Races

  • Riverhead Raceway, Route 58, Riverhead, NY
  • Saturday, September 11
  • 6:00 p.m.
  • Phone: 631-842-7223

Commack Night of Remembrance and Candlelighting

  • Commack High School, 1 Scholar Lane, Commack, NY
  • Saturday, September 11
  • 6:30 p.m.
  • Phone: 631-912-2165

Garden City Fire Department 9/11 Ceremony

  • Garden City Gazebo, intersection of Setwart Avenue and Hilton Avenue
  • Saturday, September 11
  • 6:30 p.m.

Bellmore Little League Candlelight Vigil

  • Charles A. Reinhard Early Childhood Center, 2750 S St Marks Ave, Bellmore, NY 11710 (Bruce Gary Field)
  • Saturday, September 11
  • 7:00 p.m.

East Meadow Fire Department 9/11 Memorial

  • Veteran's Memorial Park "Town Square"
  • Saturday, September 11
  • 7:00 p.m
  • Phone: 516-296-7780

Massapequa Park 9/11 Memorial

  • Brady Park at Lake Shore Drive and Front Street, Massapequa Park
  • Saturday, September 11
  •  7:00 p.m.

Seaford High School Candle Lighting

  • Seaford High School, 1575 Seamans Neck Rd, Seaford, NY 11783
  • Saturday, September 11
  • 7:00 p.m.
  • Phone: (516) 592-4300

Candlelight vigil

  • Peter Nelson Park on Oakwood Road in Huntington
  • Saturday, September 11
  • 8:00 p.m.

Freedom Flight 9/11 Kite Tribute

  • Boardwalk of Riverside Boulevard, Long Beach
  • Sunday, September 12
  • 12 - 4 p.m.
  • Phone: 516-456-1039
  • Website: http://freedomflight911.com

Nassau County Courthouse Memorial Service

  • Nassau County Courthouse, 262 Old Country Road, Mineola
  • Monday, September 13
  • 9:30 a.m.

 

Shana Braff contributed to this story.


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