Year after year, participants of the ceremony are blown away by the talented performers that help make the ceremony so special. This includes Rev. Mercaldo and his daughter singing “The Prayer” and this year, Lt. Hughie Lynch, FDNY, who performed an original song he wrote in the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11, “My friends, my brothers.”
Several of our guests commented on how there is no better place to be to remember that day and take in the beams of light across the harbor. We thank the FDNY for their support of this event and for the participation of the Fire Boat and the ringing of the Tribute Bell; We thank Fred Ariemma, Michael Black, the Tottenville High School JROTC, the Staten Island Pipers, the US Coast Guard, the US Army, the NYPD, the EDC, and the Staten Island Yankees for their support; and all of our tribute readers and talented performers for their contributions to this evening’s ceremony.
For those who joined us, thank you for coming. We truly hope it gave you peace.