Photos: Golden Leads 10th Anniversary 9/11 Tribute In Marine Park
State Senator Marty Golden hosted his annual memorial event at Marine Park early Sunday evening, following suit with a day of remembrances and ceremonies around the city, the state and the nation commemorating the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
The overcast sky was a dull shade of gray, but the atmosphere at the northern end of the park’s oval was pure patriotic – red, white and blue.
“We have always been together as a community at these events, because being together helps us to mourn and heal at the same time,” Golden said in announcing the event, which he has hosted on nearly every anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. “We will join together again to remember the victims and pray for them and to support those who survive them.”
Greg Borruso of the Marine Park Civic Association emceed the ceremony, introducing each element of the memorial event.
Hundreds of residents of all ages from Marine Park, Sheepshead Bay and nearby communities were in attendance and listened to inspirational speeches from several speakers on the podium, including Golden, State Assemblyman Alan Maisel and City Councilman Lew Fidler. Nicole Hidalgo, a niece of firefighter Charles “Chuck” Mendez, who died at Ground Zero 10 years ago, read a poignant tribute to her uncle and subsequently sang a song she wrote in his honor, which preceded a candlelight vigil, a moment of silence and inspirational music, including “Amazing Grace” by two bagpipers.
A U.S. Marines Color Guard, accompanied by Good Shepherd Church Girl Scouts and Boy Scout Troop 353 from Holy Trinity Church, marched in, welcoming the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance. Later, disabled American veteran Barry Berger played taps and Amanda Maruca sang a hopeful rendition of “Over the Rainbow.”
A batch of yellow balloons was set aloft midway through the event, in remembrance of the 9/11 victims, by wheelchair-bound 25-year old Israeli veteran Ron Weinreich and Flatlands Volunteer Ambulance Corps member Isaac Hershkovich.
“It may be 10 years, but it seems like yesterday,” said Maisel. “I still find it remarkable how America’s strength and character have been able to persevere after one of the most catastrophic events our nation has ever endured.”
Fidler remarked, “I’m amazed how much changed after 9/11 and how the decade-old wound is still fresh in our memories. Above all, we must make sure something like this never happens again, which justifies the security measures the city has implemented over the last days around the city.”
A rousing version of “God Bless the U.S.A,” led by a Marine sergeant, who urged the crowd to hold and wave the flags, distributed by Golden’s staff, heralded the end of the event.
Before departing and keeping with the “We Will Never Forget” mind-set that generates the annual memorials, Golden advised that crowd to return to the site next year for the next September 11 remembrance memorial.
Photos by Neil S. Friedman.