The recent devastating earthquake in Iran was indeed a tragedy for mankind the world over. For many in Great Neck, this disaster so far away truly ''hit home.'' We do know that our country has been sending humanitarian aid, and, as well, we know that Great Neck's Persian population has marshaled forces to send what they can.

A Great Neck native and her fiance were touring in Iran when the earthquake hit. Adele Friedman was pulled out, alive, from beneath the earthquake wreckage in Bam, while her fiance was not so fortunate. He was killed. They are among thousands who have suffered and died.

Our heart goes out to all who perished in the earthquake in Iran. Our sympathies lie deep with our Persian friends and neighbors who have suffered personal losses. Our hand is outstretched if we can help.

Such a tragedy makes us realize that we are all citizens of the world, sharing the same planet, feeling the same feelings, facing the very same joys and sorrows. And maybe, just maybe, it helps us to further realize that, basically, we are all pretty much alike.

Former Great Neck Record Assistant Editor Raymond Iryami related one very heart-warming story that came out of these tragic events. He had a telephone conversation with Adele Friedman's mother Annamae, a former Great Neck resident. Neither had ever met, but their phone conversation was riveting. Annamae Friedman asked that everyone be told how wonderful the Iranian people have been to her daughter; how kind and caring and generous they have been throughout this ordeal. Through connections both here and in Los Angeles, ''friends of friends'' quickly reached Adele and had her immediately moved to the ''best hospital in Teheran.'' Specialists were called in and these ''new friends'' maintained vigils at her bedside until her parents were able to come to Iran. And, oh yes, their Iranian friends worked hard to ensure that all of the paperwork was in order so that the parents would be able to fly over in record time. Just people helping people!

So while we all call for world peace, possibly a good place to begin is in our own backyard. We who live in Great Neck are neighbors in the same community and we should start the new year with this concept. Let's all make an effort to get to know others in our community. Let's make the effort to understand, then appreciate, and then, hopefully, enjoy one other, even if there are some little differences.

Peace begins at home!

- Wendy K. Kreitzman