The 9/11 Responders Remembered Memorial Park in Nesconset hosted a solemn ceremony this past weekend as 352 names of individuals who died from 9/11-related illnesses were added to the memorial wall, bringing the total number of honorees to over 3,000.
The black granite wall, which already bore the names of nearly 2,500 responders, stands as a testament to the enduring sacrifices made by those who served at Ground Zero. The addition of the 352 new names underscores the ongoing impact of 9/11-related health issues, many of which have claimed the lives of first responders and recovery workers in the years following the attacks.
County Executive Ed Romaine expressed his solemn respect for the fallen, stating, “Today, we honor the heroes who gave everything for our safety and our nation. Their legacy is etched in stone, but their spirit lives on in our hearts,” he said, noting that more people died from related health issues than from the attack.
Comptroller John Kennedy reflected on the significance of the ceremony, saying, “As we add these names to the memorial, we reaffirm our commitment to remembering and supporting those who continue to suffer from the aftermath of that tragic day.”
The ceremony was also attended by Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon, Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, Legislator Leslie Kennedy, and Deputy District Attorney Alan Bode, all of whom paid tribute to the fallen and reaffirmed the county’s dedication to honoring their memory.
The 9/11 Responders Remembered Memorial Park serves as a permanent tribute to the men and women who risked their lives in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. The addition of these 352 names ensures that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.
For more information on the memorial and how to support its mission, go to www.respondersremembered.com.