I made it home tonight from the Atlantic City Chapter meeting in time to attend the Rockville Centre memorial for those involved in the Sept. 11 disaster. It appeared that the entire village of 26,000 showed up for the event. There were 1,000's of lit candles, a symbol of hope in the darkness. Many local elected officials and other dignitaries were present, including our police and fire departments.

Mayor Eugene Murray led the village in the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance. He said that our town lost dozens. Our High School choir sang America the Beautiful and an Irish song. We had short sermons from the Bishop of the Archdiocese of Rockville Centre and from the Rabbi of our temple. New York Governor George Pataki gave a very emotional and uplifting message. He reminded us that while the terrorists may have broken our heart, they did not break our spirit. As proof of his insightful words, one only needs to take their glance from the still smoldering rubble of the World Trade Center to just a mile or so south to the Statue of Liberty. The light of liberty and freedom still shines. Our spirit has not been broken, it is stronger than ever. Never has the USA been more united.

Mary Garrity, wife of fallen fire chief Ed Garrity, spoke briefly, in tears, of her loss and the great support she that has received from the community. She said that America is the greatest country in the world and that Rockville Centre was the greatest community in America. Finally we sang God Bless America.

Important words said over and again through out the evening was that our mourning is at an end, it is time to get on with our lives and start rebuilding.