Village Commemorates 9/11

After a day of tears and remembrances, the Village of Massapequa Park honored the victims of 9/11 in a sundown ceremony at Brady Park Saturday night.

Dozens gathered on the baseball field and watched in silence as a Marine Corps color guard and Tara Pipe and Drums led a procession into the park.

The guard honored the victims with a rifle volley salute and played "Taps in their memory."

Village Mayor James Altadonna briefly addressed the gathering, saying that future generations will be impacted by how we remember 9/11.

"It is our respectful obligation as living witnesses to recall all of the innocent men and women and reflect upon the lives they led and the lives that they impacted," he said.

The Mayor also called on the crowd to preserve their freedoms.

"It is our responsibility as Americans to stand United in remembrance of our fellow citizens and in their honor, defend our God given right to live as a free people," he said. 

Girl Scout Dana Schocken and Boy Scout Chris Spinosa read poetry from the podium and the Pipe and Drum Corps performed "Amazing Grace."

Candles were lit in memory of five residents of Massapequa Park who lost their lives in the attack, while a sixth candle represented the other victims of the tragedy.

Among those who lit the candles were Brittney Roy and Timothy Roy, Jr., whose father NYPD Sgt. Timothy Roy, Sr. was killed in the attacks.

Brittney, 16, remembered her father's ability to make those around him happy.

"He was a very funny guy," she said. "He had humor that you could pass on to everyone. He could brighten everyone's day."

Roy's wife Stacey also remembered her husband's gift.

"He could walk into a room and no matter how mad you were, he could make you laugh," she said.

The Roy family said they always attend the Massapequa Park ceremony and Brittney said it holds special meaning for her.

"To be able to do it in your hometown, and to light a candle in front of everyone you know, I feel like it's personal in that you're showing him that you still remember him and that you'd like the candle to burn on."