On the 11th anniversary of one of the most tragic events in history, the Bellmore and North Bellmore Fire Departments came together to unveil a monument in memory the emergency workers who lost their lives in the attacks of September 11, 2001.
Firefighters from both departments lined up on Pettit Avenue early Tuesday evening, paving a solemn path from the front of the Bellmore Fire Department building to the September 11 memorial directly across the street; a monument which now incorporated an actual steel girder taken from Ground Zero itself.
Bellmore FD Chief Daniel Holl officiated the ceremony, wherein the monument was unveiled to the firefighters and their families gathered outside of the fire house.
“Tonight we’re going to dedicate a piece of steel that was recovered from the World Trade Center,” he said. “This shall serve as a memorial to the members of the Bellmore community and the Bellmore Fire Department who lost their lives to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. May they rest in peace.”
Reverend James Barnum, Chaplain of the Bellmore FD, delivered a passionate benediction during the dedication of the monument, extolling the bravery and sacrifice of all who were touched by that fateful day 11 years ago.
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“This memorial is dedicated to the first responders...people who were willing to lose their lives so that others may gain lives,” he said. “And as we are reminded, we will never forget...we will never forget their pain, their anguish, and we will never forget the pain and anguish of the families here today. We share with them, but we are reminded by this monument that is forever before us...we will forever remember our brothers and sisters, whom we have lost.”
Next to a marble facade housing a bell and dedication plaques, a large, rusted girder of World Trade Center steel mounted in the ground, pointing straight up to the sky. Flowers were draped around the girder’s base in memory of the Bellmore firefighters lost eleven years ago, giving their lives while selflessly doing their duty.
Reverend Barnum closed out his dedication prayer with an affirmation of the spirit we all share as Americans.
“May this dedication of this monument, always remind us and our children of the love and courage that we, as American, share,” he said. “May God bless this monument, so that it may be a remembrance to all people, and may we all be careful to do that which is right in the eyes of God, and in the eyes of one another.”
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