Although it has been 10 years since the horrendous attacks on September 11, 2001, the feeling of anguish and mourning are still ever present. Last Sunday, on the anniversary of 9/11, I attended a local commemoration of those that perished in the attacks 10 years ago. The small gathering of the tight knit community of the Five Towns made the sentiment of the day hit home, closer than ever before. Throughout the ceremony, many speakers, including New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, came to recall their memories of the cool perfect September morning gone wrong.  The ceremony’s apex occurred when there was the reading of the 9/11 granite markers of the local heroes that perished on that fateful day. Memories were shared, as tears were chocked back by everyone that was affected by the horrors of 9/11.  The ceremony concluded with the Lawrence High School Philharmonic playing a set list of patriotic songs, selected with the proper emotions in mind for this solemn day. The songs included: “Fanfare for the Common Man”, “God Bless America”, “Someone to Watch Over Me”, and several other songs. Although time has passed, the memories are still fresh, may we never forget those heroes that have fallen:  Neil D. Levin, Thoman E. Jurgens, Kevin O’Rouke, Betina Browne Radburn, Joseph Rivelli, Jr., Ira Zaslow, and the countless others that have not passed away in vain.

Two videos of the performance can be viewed right below.