Solemn bells toll in Warwick

Fifth anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 observed in Veterans Memorial Park WARWICK - Some people brushed away tears. Others simply stood with heads bowed, as Walter Parkinson, commanding officer of Warwick’s American Legion Post 214, read off the names of the local residents who perished in the Sept. 1, 2001, terrorist attacks: Elise Wilson John P. Williamson Michael Fodor John Ginley Stephen Harrell Bruce Van Hine Linda Gronlund Peter Gyulavary. And after each name, John Woloszczak, past commander of Post 214, rang a bell. On Monday morning, Sept. 11, a small crowd of residents, public officials, veterans, members of the Warwick Police Department as well as active and retired firefighters from both the New York City and Warwick Fire Departments and representatives of the Warwick Citizens World Trade Center Memorial Committee gathered in Veterans Memorial Park. They were there to honor the victims of the attack on the fifth anniversary of that tragic event. During Warwick Village Mayor Michael Newhard’s remarks, the Dutch Reformed Church sounded its bells. Everyone, including the mayor, paused to bow his or her head in silence. It was 8:46 a.m., the time the first aircraft struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Later in the ceremony, one of the New York City firefighters rang the bell on the fire truck to sound “five-five-five,” the signal that a firefighter has died. Then at 9:03 a.m., the time another aircraft struck the South Tower, Woloszczak rang the second bell. At the conclusion of the ceremony, heads bowed as everyone listened to the hymn, “Amazing Grace,” followed by the reading of the names. Nick Lesando Sr. then played taps and a final prayer was offered by Immediate past Post 214 Commander Robert Ritzer.