Hauppauge, NY - September 9, 2016 - The bell tolled 178 times, once for each name read aloud at a ceremony this morning marking the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Standing in front of the county’s 9/11 memorial in Hauppauge, Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory joined County Executive Steve Bellone and other legislators in remembering the Suffolk residents who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center 15 years ago. After each of the county’s 178 victims’ names was read aloud, the sound of a bell echoed across the garden, where many had gathered to honor the victims and pray for their families.
“It is difficult to believe that 15 years have passed since that terrible day. Those who were toddlers at the time are in high school now,” said Presiding Officer Gregory. “Much may have changed in our lives since then, but that does not mean we have forgotten. The names of Suffolk’s 178 victims are not only etched in the glass panes at this memorial, but they are also embedded in our hearts and collective spirit. We remember the innocent victims who were just going to work that day. We remember the brave first responders who selflessly ran toward danger not knowing what would happen. We remember the emergency crews and volunteers who continued to assist in the aftermath. We remember the soldiers who fought and continue to fight in defense of our freedom. And we keep in our hearts the families left behind, who continue to put one foot in front of the other, even though their lives have been forever changed.”
Suffolk Legislators Kara Hahn (5th District), Monica Martinez (9th District), Thomas Barraga (11th District), Leslie Kennedy (12th District) and Kevin McCaffrey (14th District) joined Presiding Officer Gregory and County Executive Bellone in reading aloud the names of the victims from Suffolk.
