Category Archives: government

East Meadow, New York, U.S. September 10, 2020. Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN wears a face mask with American flag design, at the county Remembrance Ceremony at Eisenhower Park commemorating 19th anniversary of September 11 2001 terrorist attacks. (© 2020 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

2020 Vision: Nassau County Remembers 9/11

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
September 16, 2020

Nassau County 9/11 Remembrance

Nassau County Eisenhower Park September 11, 2001 Memorial

East Meadow, New York, U.S. September 10, 2020. The Nassau County 9/11 Memorial includes a tall metal sculpture representing the Twin Tower (seen at far right), two pieces of beams from the original Twin Towers, and a Survivor Tree. (© 2020 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

East Meadow, New York, U.S. September 10, 2020. The Nassau County 9/11 Memorial includes a tall metal sculpture representing the Twin Tower (seen at far right), two pieces of beams from the original Twin Towers, and a Survivor Tree. (© 2020 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

9/11 Ceremony at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater

VIDEO  – Greg Hoffman during Reading of Names :

During the Reading of Names of the 348 Nassau County residents who died as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on September 11, 2002, each speaker ended by sharing about the loved one lost. Greg Hoffman was one of those readers (from above video):

“For my identical twin brother, Stephen Gerard Hoffman: It’s been 19 years, Steve, when you took Madeline to kindergarten. She’s a teacher now. She’s 24, and she’s beautiful. You’d be so proud of her

“One thing special about, unique about, September 11 is that the day of terror doesn’t end.
This January we buried a young man, Jim Bass. He was NYPD.
Age 30 he went onto the pile
Age 49 he died of the cancer

“May they all rest in peace.

“May God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change
Courage to change the things we can
And the wisdom to know the difference.”

East Meadow, New York, U.S. September 10, 2020. SUSAN HUTCHINS, at far left podium, holds up photo of her son Kevin Colbert, who died after a plane hit South Tower on September 11, 2001. Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN sits at far right, as county commemorated 19th anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks with Remembrance Ceremony at Eisenhower Park.

East Meadow, New York, U.S. September 10, 2020. SUSAN HUTCHINS, at far left podium, holds up photo of her son Kevin Colbert, who died after a plane hit South Tower in NYC on September 11, 2001. Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN sits at far right, as county commemorated 19th anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks with Remembrance Ceremony at Eisenhower Park. (© 2020 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

East Meadow, New York, U.S. September 10, 2020. JOEY LABO, 16, of Wantagh, seen from back sitting on stage during 9/11 event, wearing a shirt in memory of his uncle Joseph G. Hunter, a FDNY 288 firefighter who died during the attacks, 9/11/01. Nassau County commemorated 19th anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks with Remembrance Ceremony at Eisenhower Park, with names read of 348 county residents killed that day. (© 2020 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

East Meadow, New York, U.S. September 10, 2020. JOEY LABO, 16, of Wantagh, seen from back sitting on stage during 9/11 event, wearing a shirt in memory of his uncle Joseph G. Hunter, a FDNY 288 firefighter who died during the attacks, 9/11/01. Nassau County commemorated 19th anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks with Remembrance Ceremony at Eisenhower Park. (© 2020 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Nassau County Police Emerald Society Pipe Band

East Meadow, New York, U.S. September 10, 2020. Nassau County Police Emerald Society Pipe Band performs during the county's commemoration of 19th anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks with Remembrance Ceremony at Eisenhower Park. (© 2020 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

East Meadow, New York, U.S. September 10, 2020. Nassau County Police Emerald Society Pipe Band performs during the county’s commemoration of 19th anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks with Remembrance Ceremony at Eisenhower Park. (© 2020 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

9/11 • 2020

East Meadow, New York, U.S. September 10, 2020. At far right, PATRICK J. RYDER, Commissioner of the Nassau County Police Department, is seated on side of stage as Nassau County commemorates 19th anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks with Remembrance Ceremony at Eisenhower Park. (© 2020 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

East Meadow, New York, U.S. September 10, 2020. At far right, PATRICK J. RYDER, Commissioner of the Nassau County Police Department, is seated on side of stage as Nassau County commemorates 19th anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks with Remembrance Ceremony at Eisenhower Park. (© 2020 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

9/11 • 2020

Later at September 11, 2001 Memorial

After the ceremony I walked around the lake to the 9/11 Memorial.

East Meadow, New York, U.S. September 10, 2020. At far left, TRICIA DEAN, widow of William T. Dean, of Floral Park, who died during terrorist attack on Twin Towers, sits at Nassau County Eisenhower Park September 11, 2001 Memorial, on bench across from plaque where her husband’s name is listed among 348 county residents killed by the attacks. (© 2020 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

East Meadow, New York, U.S. September 10, 2020. At far left, TRICIA DEAN, widow of William T. Dean, of Floral Park, who died during terrorist attack on Twin Towers, sits at Nassau County Eisenhower Park September 11, 2001 Memorial, on bench across from plaque where her husband’s name is listed among 348 county residents killed by the attacks. (© 2020 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

9/11 • 2020


FEATURE PHOTO at top of post : Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY. Sept. 10, 2020. Nassau County Executive Laura Curran is wearing a face mask with an American Flag design at the county’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, ALL PRESENT wore face masks if they couldn’t social distance.


Nassau County 9/11 Ceremony 2020:  my PHOTO GALLERY

my VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/annparry/911hoffman

More Links:

CONTACT ME

North Merrick, New York, U.S. June 4, 2020. Black Lives Matter March heads east on Jerusalem Ave and then turns north onto Bellmore Avenue, toward eastbound entrance to Southern State Parkway. Shortly before protestors arrive, Nassau County Police officers park several patrol cars at intersection to stop and divert traffic to make path for peaceful march of largely of young marchers, black and white . Many marchers wore face masks, some masks covering mouth and nose, some masks lowered below mouth as they chanted. Young black man with megaphone led the chant: megaphone man: NO JUSTICE marchers: NO PEACE megaphone man: NO RACIST marchers: POLICE Signs marchers carried included: RIP GEORGE FLOYD - IGNORANCE IS ALWAYS AFRAID OF CHANGE - BLM! - BLACK LIVES MATTER - NO RACIST POLICE

from Merrick, Long Island: Black Lives Matter

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
June 5, 2020

peaceful march in turbulent June

VIDEO – Black Lives Matter March, N. Merrick, NY, Thursday, June 4, 2020:

Last night, while driving home shortly before 9 PM, I accidentally found myself in the path of a Black Lives Matter March about to turn onto Bellmore Ave from Jerusalem Ave in North Merrick.

When marchers turned, they passed between my car and several Nassau County Police patrol cars parked to block the intersection, so marchers had a safe, clear path.  [google maps]

I held my iPhone out the driver’s window to film the marchers, many spread out for social distancing. Most were young, some black, some white, and most wore masks, either covering their mouths and noses or under their chins.

They carried signs with messages including: RIP George Floyd  –  BLM!  –  Black Lives Matter No Racist PoliceIgnorance is always afraid of change

A man with a megaphone led his fellow marchers in a chant:  No JusticeNo PeaceNo RacistPolice

After they continued north for a few minutes, police cleared a path through the intersection, and neighboring cars and I continued south. 

Later, I learned the marchers were part of a massive, peaceful Merrick march that started earlier that night on Sunrise Highway and ultimately blocked traffic on the Southern State Parkway

NAACP.org   BlackLivesMatter.com


  This Tuesday night, June 2, self-proclaimed reporter got over 10,000 views on facebook when he live-streamed his take on about 30 people at Merrick Road, Merrick, protesting against Black Lives Matters supporters who wanted to march east from Trader Joe’s to Massapequa.

The ugly comments that anti-BLM March group made about the protestors were exacerbated by the videographer repeatedly and inaccurately referring to that small group as The People of Merrick, as if they represented the entire community.

As an aside:  One of the anti-BLM protestors commented how someone was wearing a mask (following CDC guidelines during COVID-19 pandemic) and asked, rhetorically, if the person was a coward.

It’s an anti-mask sentiment I suspect not only the chief executive of the United States but also the COVID-19 virus – if sentient – would share.


  48 minutes ago, today, an email from NY State Senator John Brooks (District 8) landed in my inbox:

Last night, we witnessed a second wave of protests over the tragic death of George Floyd. In good part, this second march was the direct result of spiteful remarks gone viral, made by ignorant people flanking the peaceful march the day before. Let’s be clear, in Merrick there exists an overall community of wonderful people who genuinely believe in the fundamental principles upon which this nation was founded. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness combined with the understanding that all are created equal provides the basis of outlook, action, and acceptance of any Merokian I have come to know.

The remarks made by these ignorant few do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the people of the Merrick community or, for that matter, any community on Long Island. Yesterday, many Merokians walked along in protest, while many others stood on sidewalks providing support, applause, and even bottles of water to the passing marchers. In response to the tragedy of George Floyd, I witnessed members of this community march in support of the most basic of human rights, and I was proud; In response to vile words of thinly veiled hatred by a minority of instigators peddling divisiveness, I witnessed this community come together once again to protest that hatred in a peaceful way, and I was inspired.

Merrick is a community of fairness and understanding, of acceptance and fellowship, and I am proud to represent this community in the NY State Senate.

Sincerely,    John E Brooks

I largely agree with Sen. Brooks’ above statement.


Walk the Walk

Segregation is rampant on Long Island, and – as Newsday’s undercover investigation found – it didn’t happen by accident. [*see links below] 

Yes, we need to Talk the Talk of the truth that Black Lives Matter and deserve equal justice, and to Walk the Walk by supporting/participating in Black Lives Matter protest marches.

Be we also need to take the countless steps needed to have our community, our Long Island communities, be more diverse and reflect the truth that Black Lives Matter and deserve equal justice, housing, health care, education and job opportunities….

*Newsday  – Three-year investigation uncovers widespread unequal treatment by real estate agents on Long Island (2019):

Undercover Investigation:  racial steering by real estate agents

Opinion/EDITORIAL (Updated Nov. 17, 2019): Segregation’s stain on Long Island can be overcome


FEATURE PHOTO at top of post: Merrick, New York, U.S. June 4, 2020. North Merrick, New York, U.S. June 4, 2020. Black Lives Matter March heads north on Bellmore Ave in direction of eastbound entrance to Southern State Parkway.


Your COMMENTS

Please submit reply to share comment about this post, including below TED talk.

The Danger of a Single Story: “Show a people as one thing, as only one thing, over and over again, and that is what they become.”Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie


CONTACT ME