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VOl. 102 NO. 37
SEPTEMBER 11 - 17, 2025
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Welcome to the Five Towns
Courtesy David Norman
David Norman, of Woodmere, far left, Cliff Allen, Roger Mack, Dominick Amendolari and Kenny Winkler were first responders with the New York City Police Department’s Emergency Service Unit in Lower Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2001.
Five Towns first responders recall the trauma of Sept. 11 By BRIAN NORMAN bnorman@liherald.com
It has been 24 years since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, left the nation in shock, and many volunteers and first responders — including several from the Five Towns — feel strong emotions to this day. “I was like, how are we ever going to come back from this?” Matt Nelson, a North Woodmere resident and a first responder that day, recalled. “Everything was still burning, and there was debris everywhere. Everyone was trying to do something, and it wasn’t so organized, as you could imagine. We had never experienced anything of this
magnitude.” Nelson, who’s now 60, was a lieutenant with the New York City Fire Department’s Engine Company 226 in Brooklyn for eight years before the attacks. On Sept. 9, 2001, he was promoted to captain. Two days later, word of the attacks on the World Trade Center reached him, and he was dispatched to Lower Manhattan. He remained there for two days, helping clear debris, searching for survivors and providing care where he could. “In the moment, you’re on autopilot and just doing your job, and it really didn’t hit you because you were just so busy,” Nelson said. “Three days later, I finally got home, CoNtiNUED oN PAgE 8
It is with great pleasure that we extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to all those in the communities of Cedarhurst, Hewlett, Inwood, Lawrence and Woodmere. We are thrilled to be a part of your vibrant and diverse neighborhoods, and look forward to serving as your trusted source of news and information. At the Nassau Herald, we’re proud to be part of the place we all call home. We’re here to share the news and stories that matter most to you and your neighbors. Our team works hard to keep you informed, but just as important, we’re committed to celebrating the people, traditions and spirit that make our communities so special. Whether it’s a school fundraiser, a town meeting or a countywide initiative, you can count on the Herald to be there. This week’s Herald is being mailed to every home in the Five Towns, and includes a copy of our popular annual supplement, the 5 Towns Community Guide. It’s filled with great information you can use throughout the year. We understand the importance of digital media in
today’s fast-paced world, and you can access breaking news and our weekly stories on our website, liherald.com/fivetowns, or on Facebook at Nassau Herald. As we strive to further strengthen our bond with the Five Towns, we invite you to share your feedback and suggestions. Send a letter to mberman@ liherald.com. If you’re not currently receiving the Nassau Herald by mail each week, please help keep quality local journalism alive by signing up for a subscription online at liherald.com/ subscribe, or call (516) 569-4000, ext. 7. If you’re already a Nassau Herald subscriber, thank you for your support. If you’re new to the Herald, you need to know that our mission is to keep news as hyperlocal as possible, while focusing what’s important to everyone throughout our communities. Thank you for entrusting us with the responsibility of keeping you informed. We are honored to be your community newspaper! Melissa Berman Senior Reporter