9/11 Intimate Ceremony of Remembrance with Innovative Stone on Long Island
On September 8th, 2010, Kioli made its way out to Innovative Stone in Hauppauge for the Freedom Tower Cornerstone ceremony in honor of 9/11 heroes.
The inscription on the Freedom Tower Cornerstone reads, “To honor and remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and as a tribute to the enduring spirit of freedom.”
The Freedom Tower Cornerstone was unveiled by Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Pataki on June 4, 2004 at the ground-breaking ceremony for the rebuilding of the World Trade Center.
The cornerstone was returned to Innovative Stone, the leading global supplier and fabricator of natural stone and tile products, in 2006 as plans for the reconstruction of the World Trade Center changed.
Looking for a way to use the cornerstone to continue to honor 9/11 heroes, Innovative Stone rededicated the monument at their headquarters in Hauppauge on September 11, 2009.
This year’s ceremony featured keynote speakers Jennifer McNamara, widow of firefighter and 9/11 first responder John McNamara; Sarah Wingerath, Director of Mentoring for Tuesday’s Children; John Feal, President and Founder of the FealGood Foundation; Legislature John Kennedy; and United States Congressmen Tim Bishop and Steve Israel.
Not only were 9/11 first responders honored but those who are considered “forgotten heroes,” those who have and are suffering from 9/11 related illnesses were also remembered.
Chris Longley was just one hero that was honored. Longley owned Water Pure and Simple, a water bottle company. He volunteered at Ground Zero, providing cold water for first responders. Currently Longley is suffering from damaged lungs and awaiting two lung transplants.
A bucket was placed to collect donations for Longley, his wife, and two sons. Whatever amount was raised, Innovative Stone would match in honor of Longley’s sacrifice.
“Today, I realized what sacrifice people have given for our country and they are still sacrificing,” Karen Pearse, CEO and Founder of Innovative Stone said.
The ceremony also included prayers from Cantor Michael F. Tranchtenberg from Temple Isaiah in Stony Brook and Reverend Dr. Richard Graugh of First Presbyterian Church located in Port Jefferson.
The Northport Pipe and Drum, the Harbormen Barbershop Chorus, and Jaimy Lynn Productions also performed.
Butterflies and 11 White Peace Doves, symbolizing 9/11 were released during the ceremony. Following the ceremony, lunch and beverages were served, sponsored by Applebee’s and Coca-Cola Enterprises.
Karen Pearse, CEO & Founder of Innovative Stone, and Cathy Mazzo were presented with an honorary award from the FealGood Foundation, a non-profit organization, dedicated to spread awareness and educate the public about the catastrophic health effects on 9/11 first responders.
“Innovative Stone has set the bar high for others to emulate. Take the rock out of here it doesn’t matter. That’s just a beautiful piece of remembrance of 9/11,” Feal said. “But what’s more important to me is the friendship I have formed with Karen and Cathy, they are an extended family. They made sacrifices for this company to ensure that today happened.”
