Cold Spring Harbor FD Dedicates 9/11 Memorial
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Firefighters, community members and elected officials gather in the Cold Spring Harbor Fireman’s Park Saturday afternoon to dedicate a 9/11 memorial that included one of the last remaining pieces of steel from the World Trade Center. (Photo/Steve Silverman)
By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com
The Cold Spring Harbor Fire Department hosted Saturday afternoon a dedication ceremony for one of the last remaining pieces of steel from the World Trade Center.
The over 18,000 pound steel beam stands in Cold Spring Harbor Fireman’s Park as part of a memorial to the men and women who lost their lives as a result of the 9/11 attacks.
The steel, which was recovered from tower one of the World Trade Center, was given to the Cold Spring Harbor Fire Department by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, whose pipe band was also on hand Saturday to help with the dedication ceremony.
Suffolk Legislator William Spencer (D-Centerport), Huntington Supervisor Chad Lupinacci, Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia, and councilmembers Joan Cergol, Eugene Cook and Ed Smyth attended the ceremony to remember the 43 Huntington residents who were killed in the attacks.
Keynote speaker Rep. Thomas Suozzi (D-Huntington) said it is important that we continue to defend ourselves from hatred of all kinds.
“The best way to remember Sept. 11 is to rededicate ourselves to the promise of America- to freedom and democracy,” Suozzi said.
Thomas Buchta, chairman of the fire department’s 9/11 memorial committee and retired Port Authority police officer, said the monument would serve as an important reminder to future generations about the sacrifices made by so many, including the first responders.
One of those first responder who gave his life on 9/11 was Peter Martin, a lieutenant with FDNY Rescue 2. Martin’s sons Daniel and John, both active members of the Cold Spring Harbor Fire Department, said the monument will serve as a place where the community can connect to and remembers those who gave their lives.
