Up to 250 local residents rose early and traveled to downtown Roslyn last Wednesday to attend a "Remembrance Day" on the first anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The ceremony was organized by the Village of Roslyn and included both local dignitaries and members of the Roslyn Rescue and Roslyn Highlands fire companies.

As with other similar ceremonies, the event was a mixture of melancholy and defiance. Roslyn area residents who lost their lives in the attack, especially volunteer firemen Peter and Thomas Langone and Michael Haub, were remembered. In addition, members of the Village of Roslyn board of trustees delivered an hour-by hour-and in some cases, minute-by-minute-account of the events of September 11.

The ceremony began with introductory remarks by Roslyn Mayor John Durkin and the presentation of the colors by Chief Peter Liotta of Roslyn Rescue. Rev. Dennis Carter of Roslyn Presbyterian gave the invocation. Rev. Carter offered a prayer that asked for courage to be granted to the families of the victims and to those survivors still hampered by the enormous anxieties that day brought forth.

Henry Krukowski, president of Roslyn Rescue, recited his own prayer, "The Fireman's Psalm." He noted that members of Roslyn Rescue, along with those of Roslyn Highlands, have managed to "move forward" from the painful events of September 11, while at the same time keeping the well being of the Langone and Haub families in their hearts and minds.

Speaking for the fire companies, Mr. Krukowski also extended his thanks to local residents for their thoughtfulness, generosity and compassion when we needed it the most."

On Sunday, Sept. 29, beginning at 6:45 p.m., there will be plaque dedication for the Langone brothers at Roslyn Rescue Station #2 on Mineola Avenue in Roslyn Heights.

After a brief talk by Assemblyman David Sikidman, one which praised a "strong and free" America, board of trustee members Nolan Myerson, Marshall Bernstein, Craig Westergard, and Marta Genovese each took turns in delivering spare, but chilling accounts of last year's events, including the 8:46 a.m. attack on the first World Trade Center building, the subsequent attack on the second tower, the bombing of the Pentagon, the collapse of both WTC towers, the shutdown of airports, tunnels, bridges, and subways in the New York area, and the reaction to the terrorist attacks by local and national politicians.

That account was followed by Mayor Durkin calling for a moment of silence, accompanied by flags being lowered to half staff and bells sounding from the clock tower, all in remembrance of the first WTC tower collapsing.

Susan Hugelmeyer then gave an acapella rendition of America the Beautiful. Ms. Hugelmeyer's performance was followed by a benediction by Rabbi Dean Klein of Temple Sinai. Echoing Rev. Carter, Rabbi Klein prayed for the "full and complete healing of the soul" of the families of the victims, and for "peace in our homes, peace in our hearts, peace in our world."

In recognition of the second WTC falling, Mayor Durkin called for another moment of silence, which also featured chiming bells from the clock tower. Amy Olitsky performed a trumpeter's rendition on Taps that was followed by closing remarks by both Mayor Durkin and Chief Liotta.