ST. GEORGE — Hundreds gathered in front of the "Postcards" memorial near the St. George Ferry Terminal on Wednesday night to remember the Staten Islanders who lost their lives on 9/11.
Loved ones of the 274 island residents killed in the attacks 12 years ago read the names of the victims.
"I really wish in my heart we were never there, I wish in my heart that we were not here tonight," borough president James Molinaro said. "We have to...move forward with our lives."
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Council Speaker Christine Quinn — fresh from her loss in Tuesday's mayoral primary election — also spoke to the crowd in St. George.
Bloomberg lauded Quinn, an early front-runner in the race who came in third place in the polls, for her work as council speaker.
"[Quinn] has made as much of a difference in this city as our administration has," Bloomberg said. "Chris Quinn has made a very big difference in this city."
Quinn didn't mention her loss during her speech, but said the Staten Island memorial — which was completed and dedicated on Sept. 11, 2004 — motivated the creators of the lower Manhattan memorial to work faster.
"The symbol that Staten Island was able to do this so quickly and so beautifully I know was motivating to everyone in Lower Manhattan," she said.
Molinaro — who will be term-limited out of office in November — thanked residents for letting him serve them.
"I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the privilege and honor to represent you for 12 years," he said.
