A Solemn Remembrance At Postcards Memorial

A rainbow poked through the clouds over the Postcards Memorial on Monday as a video tribute played to honor the victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center 22 years ago.

“We come together, once again, at this glorious memorial to honor the memory of those fallen on that fateful day,” said Borough President Fossella at the September 11 Memorial Ceremony. “We stand together to proclaim that we will never forget so many of our friends and neighbors, your sons and daughters, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, and mothers and fathers. We continue to pray to give you the strength to carry on and to cherish each moment, we pray this day is one to remember courage, grace, and love. We pray for each other so that you may be healed. We remember the amazing courage of the heroes who rushed in to help, we remember the people who literally carried people to safety out of the fire and ash, we remember the fireman, the police officers, and other first-responders who ran up knowing they would never come down, we remember the brave passengers who stormed the cockpit knowing it would be their last run, we remember the patriots at the Pentagon and the sacrifices on display for the whole world to see -- and we remember the people who used their last seconds among us to call their families just to say, ‘I love you, I will love you forever.’ We remember all those who lost their lives since 9/11 due to illnesses or injuries they incurred on that tragic day.”

His final message: “We continue to pray that perhaps the evil that existed that day can be overwhelmed by messengers who will remind future generations of the courage, mercy, and bravery of individuals that rose to a level that no one will ever forget.”

Mayor Eric Adams drew on a phrase from our National Anthem.
 
“Every September 11 for 22 years, we pause and reflect on the moment and how significant it is for us,” said Mayor Adams. “But I also remember another day. I remember September 12. We got up, teachers taught, builders built, we went on with our lives and by doing so we sent a very strong and significant message: ‘The rocket’s red glare, the bomb’s bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there’ – our flag continues to be here.”

Family members recited the names of the victims of 9/11 and those lost in the 22 years since due to their work at Ground Zero, the toll of a solemn bell ringing between the readings. A moment of silence followed.

Jane Benevenuto, accompanied by the Brighton Heights Youth Orchestra, sang the National Anthem. Episcopal Vicar of Staten Island Bishop John O’Hara provided the invocation and Bishop Victor Brown, pastor of United Mount Sinai United Church, offered the benediction. The Staten Island Pipes & Drums played Amazing Grace.
 
We also wish to thank Gerardi's Farmers Market and Nursery; Flowers by Bernard; the FDNY; the FDNY Ceremonial Unit; the FDNY Marine Unit; the NYPD; the New York City Economic Development Corporation; Friends of Postcards; the United States Coast Guard; the United States Army; ProSho; the Staten Island FerryHawks; Empire Outlets; Gilbane; architect Masayuki Sono, and former Borough President James P. Molinaro. And, a special thank you to Community Media of Staten Island for the first live broadcast of this year's ceremony.

The evening concluded with the performance of Taps by the Tottenville High School Ceremonial Taps Unit. Family members then placed roses between the silhouettes of the Postcards Memorial and along the rain-slicked First Responders Memorial while an FDNY tugboat sprayed water and across the harbor the Tribute In Light rose into the night sky.