Oyster Bay Holds Moving 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at Tobay Beach

(Long Island, NY) Even though we are now 15 years removed from the horrific events of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, the wounds are no less raw for many affected by the events of that fateful day.

But to help soothe the persistent ache in the souls of many of their residents, the Town of Oyster Bay held their annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on the sands of Tobay Beach on Sept. 7, the location of the Town’s own 9/11 Memorial, consisting of a recovered steel beam from Ground Zero and a wall featuring the engraved names of the local heroes and victims whose lives were lost.

The Town of Oyster Bay’s 9/11 Memorial located at Tobay Beach. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The ceremony, held in a white tent, drew hundreds of participants, and featured a stirring music by the Nassau County Police Emerald Society Pipe and Drums, performances by vocalist Marissa Famigletti, a reading of the names of the lost, and the lighting of memorial candles by each and every attendee.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto served as Master of Ceremonies of the event. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto, who served as Master of Ceremonies, noted that the event would always continue in years to come to ensure that no one forgets the bravery and sacrifice of the thousands of innocent victims and first responders who were tragically killed on September 11^th when terrorists flew hijacked airliners into the World Trade Center and Pentagon buildings, as well as an additional plane that crashed short of its target after its passengers bravely attempted to re-take it.

The Town of Oyster Bay’s 9/11 Memorial located at Tobay Beach. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

“We were taught growing up that time heals all wounds, and to an extent it does. I may be wrong about it, but that has not been my experience as we’ve walked together over the past 15 years since 9/11,” Venditto said. “Quite frankly, I don’t see the wounds improving…sometimes I see the wounds getting a little deeper. If the time ever comes that we do not to get together to remember those we lost on 9/11, shame on us. If we do that, we will lose the rights, opportunities, and privileges that the people who sacrificed their lives on 9/11 afford us.”

Maureen Fitzgerald, Oyster Bay’s Commissioner of Community and Youth Services, stated in her opening comments that she hoped that the evening’s ceremony would serve as a way of healing for the many residents present.

Attendees held memorial candles during the reading of the names of the lost. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

“As we gather at the beach here tonight, we hope that this service in some small way gives you peace,” she said. “All of us here have been affected in one way or another by the events of 9/11. It’s been 15 years, and we continue to commemorate the day, cherish the memories, and celebrate the lives of those that we have lost.”

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto served as Master of Ceremonies of the event. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

A solemn prayer was read aloud by the Pastor of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Plainview, Reverend Eric Olaf Olsen. After sharing a reading from the fifth chapter of the Gospel of Saint Matthew; afterwards, he spoke of his very personal connection with the events of 9/11, and how they changed his life forevermore.

The Nassau County Police Emerald Society Pipe and Drums marching to the site of the memorial service. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

“Every year, I feel as though someone punched me, I feel as though I’m going to get sick. My knees get weak and I often break into a sweat. It’s been 15 years, but some days for me it feels like it’s only been 15 minutes,” Reverend Olsen said. “I was in the city on September 11th, and after the second plane hit a colleague and I opened up a church in midtown, and an endless stream of people came up from downtown covered with soot and ash, walked into the church, and washed themselves in the oversized baptismal…eventually, the waters of the baptismal turned black. That day changed my life forever, but what gives me the courage to live in such a difficult time is how you all continue to continue to rise, continue to live, continue to grow despite the pain that you face each day, and that truly is an inspiration.”