Comedian and 9/11 health care advocate; Jon Stewart, joined with friends, family and supporters as he read the names of sixty-one men and women lost to 9/11 related illness on Saturday. On May 21st, the sacred Nesconset land, where those 9/11 First Responders lost, are forever etched in stone, was filled with people from across New York State, for the somber annual reading of names.
Local Fire Department ladder companies raised the American Flag as the Nassau County Firefighters Bagpipes and Drums played patriotically while hundreds of supporters, elected officials, family and friends all entered the hallowed park. The ceremony began with introductions and special messages of gratitude for those who helped in the recent passing of the Zadroga Act, from John Feal of the Feal Good Foundation.
“This park was built for one reason… not to be the first of its kind or the best. But to serve the 9/11 community with grace, dignity and humility. It is my sincere hope that this park will help tell the stories of our Nation’s greatest citizens, both Uniform and non-uniform, who were elevated beyond the call of duty to help restore humanity to a fractured city and a lost grieving Nation.” – John Feal, founder of the Feal Good Foundation
The President of the 9/11 Responders Remembered Park, Martin Aponte spoke to the importance of the park and why it is so important to preserve the truth and the memory of all of those who set aside their personal well being to lift the Nation. He thanked the board members of the 9/11 Responders Remembered Park and gave a special recognition to Suffolk County Legislator, Leslie Kennedy and Husband, Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy, who have been instrumental in building up the park from its beginnings.
“Today is not a day of Mourning… Rather, let today be a day of reflection, a day of remembrance and more so; a day of reflection. Today we add sixty-one names to our wall. And today, we recognize sixty-one heroes.” – Martin Aponte, President of the 9/11 Responders Remembered Park
After the sixty-one names were read by Jon Stewart, the flag was lowered and a new one replaced. John Feal presented the flag that once flew over the Capital and the 9/11 Responders Remembered Park and honorary plaque to retired F.D.N.Y. firefighter, Ray Pfeifer. Pfeifer, who walked the halls of Congress with Stewart, Feal and so many other 9/11 health care advocates, despite stage-four cancer, was recently awarded the Key to Manhattan.
During the Annual Reading of the Names, Stewart was given a honorary trophy for his dedication and achievement, which was presented on behalf of the Feal Good Foundation and the 9/11 Responders Remembered Park, by Jack McNamara, the son of fallen firefighter, John McNamara. The former Daily Show Host has been an instrumental voice in the fight to get the Zadroga Act passed, which will provide healthcare for the thousands of men and women for the next 75 years.
“You don’t have to thank me for anything because I can never in my life, repay the debt that you all gave to not just me; but to the city and the country… we owe you and we continue to owe you forever.” – Jon Stewart, Comedian and 9/11 health care advocate
The event ended with John Feal thanking everyone who helped to build the wall and park. Feal was kind enough to offer interviews with Stewart to the local media first and concluded the events by calling Leslie and John Kennedy up to present the memorial wreath along the wall.