East Meadow, N.Y. -- Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, joined by Bobby Bonanza, president of Laborer's Local 66, this year continued the tradition of gathering together as a county to remember the lives of the loved ones lost on September 11, 2001. To honor and remember these people, on Saturday, September 11, 2004 at 8:46 a.m., the County Executive hosted a moment of silence in Eisenhower Park on the dedication site for the Nassau County September 11th Memorial. The event was open to the public and everyone was encouraged to attend.

"I am proud to honor all the Nassau County victims and heroes who tragically lost their lives three years ago," County Executive Suozzi said. "My heart goes out to all those who have lost a loved one. It is also my hope that this memorial will help people to grieve and to make certain that the events of September 11th are always foremost in our thoughts."

"The members of the building and construction trades unions, and their signatory contractors, which volunteered their time, materials and expertise have a personal commitment to this memorial and community," said Bobby Bonanza, president of Laborers' Local 66. "Many of the members of our unions live and work in Nassau County. Each one was effected in their own way be the events of 9-11. The 325 Nassau County residents killed on that tragic day were part of our family and community. The engineers, electricians, lathers, carpenters and laborers who labored to see this fitting memorial built are proud of their contribution. We will always remember," concluded Bonanza.

Through the efforts of the Nassau County 9/11 Memorial Foundation, Nassau County's 9/11 Memorial Project, which will honor the victims and heroes of the World Trade Center tragedy on September 11th.

The vision is to bring together the memories of the women and men of Nassau County who died on Sept. 11, 2001. The monument is estimated to cost up to $750,000 and will feature two semitransparent aluminum towers, representing the World Trade Center towers, rising 30 feet from a reflecting pool. It will also contain a wall with the names of 281 victims who lived in or had ties to Nassau, and two pieces of steel from the trade center's wreckage.

The final design chosen was designed by Keith Striga of Valley Stream and Phil Gavosto of Glen Cove.