by KIAWANA RICH
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The weather may not have been picture-perfect, but the hearts of those who gathered to recall loved ones lost on Sept. 11 at a ribbon cutting for the new Healing Garden were filled with sunshine.
Due to rain, yesterday's ceremony on the grounds of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden in Livingston was moved inside to the Music Hall.
"I think it was a beautiful day for everyone who attended," said Frances Paulo Huber, Snug Harbor president and CEO. "Even though the sun was not shining, there was so much warmth and good will at the indoor ceremony it generated all the sunshine we needed."
The one-acre Healing Garden was created to offer a place of refuge for those grieving the deaths of loved ones killed in the terrorist attacks. The garden includes a pathway that encircles the World Trade Center Tribute Center, a memorial to Island victims; the Wall of Remembrance, with the names of the 267 Islanders who died in the attacks; saplings from the only tree to survive at Ground Zero, and the statue "Resurrection Day," created by sculptor Silvio Amelio.
Roughly 150 people attended the event, including relatives of Sept. 11 victims and a large contingent of city firefighters.
Addressing the audience during the event was City Councilman and Democratic congressional candidate Michael McMahon, who provided funding for the garden.
Also providing remarks were borough Parks Commissioner Thomas Paulo, Assemblyman Matthew Titone, Deputy Borough President Ed Burke, retired FDNY Lt. Michael Barone and Anthony Romano, who represented Sept. 11 families.
Performances were given by Staten Island Pipes & Drums, and Nicole Libby sang the national anthem.
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