Southold pauses to remember 9/11 in 25th year, promise renewed: ‘Never forget’

They came to Jean Cochran Park Friday not simply because it marked the 25th anniversary of terrorist attacks that still burns a hole in the hearts and souls of those who remember that bleak day. Instead, many came with their children in tow, determined to show those who are too young to remember the attacks on America why it remains important to honor those innocents who lost their lives that day and others who have succumbed to illnesses resulting from their presence.

Some lived or worked in the area while others were first responders who rushed into the buildings sacrificing their own lives in the effort to save others. Still others were there to clear debris in the search for survivors and for the months that followed. They had been told the air and dust was not toxic.

One Manhattan firefighter bicycled to the Southold Memorial site last week, arriving parched, but determined to mark that tragic day with the East End community.

Photos by Jeremy Garretson

This has to be a living memory, Timothy and Margaret Hollowell of Southold said.’Byron Elmenvorf, leader of Cub Scout Pack 39, said he had never attended any of the memorial events, but thought as a scout leader it was important to bring pack members to the memorial service.

As the announced time of 5 p.m. to start the memorial passed, only a small crowd was present, but by the time the memorial service got underway, there were hundreds at the park. The field was covered with 2,977 flags — one for each victim of the three sites — the World Trade Center buildings, the Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pa. where flight 93 struck the ground killing all aboard, despite efforts its passengers had made to stop the hijackers.

The initial flags were sparse at the park early that evening. Tracey Orlando, whose family had commissioned the osprey statue that stands at the park today mounted on a pedestal created from a large piece of steel from the World Trade Center, greeted attendees and gave them flags to plant around the area.

As initiator of the memorial services, she pointed out that the 9/11 Committee is committed to provide the community with space and time to mourn, reflect and heal. 

She expressed her thanks to her parents, Jim and Barbara Miller, who instilled in her the commitment to give back to the community. She also expressed thanks to those that helped to create the event in the early years — Janet Douglas, Bryanne Kmiotek, Brittany Crosser, Pete Harris, Peg Beach, the staff at the  Ink Spot “and, of course, the public that comes every year.” 

She watched as parents and children created a field festooned with flags, except for a middle aisle where firefighters from each of the various hamlet departments marched through, surrounding the plaza where the statue stands.

Photos by Julie Lane

Norm Reilly Jr., Mattituck Fire Chief and President of Southold Town Fire Chief’s Council, welcomed the crowd and set the tone for the solemn event. 

Chaplain to the firefighters Tom Roslak called the 25th year of the attacks “a time of renewal” when people need to “put aside our differences.”

Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski Jr. said all these years later, Sept. 11 remains a “terrible day, a well planned attack on democracy.” At the same time, this is an opportunity to work together” in the spirit of what happened in the wake of the terrorist attacks when people rallied to help one other, he  said.