The monument, which had been in the works for two years and was fully funded by donations, was built to honor residents and graduates from the town who died in the attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The 9-foot-tall structure features two towers atop a pentagon-shaped base and includes the names of 12 residents and graduates who died.
Among those attending the dedication was Jonathan Reali of Sage Builders, the company that constructed the memorial. Reali became emotional while speaking about his father-in-law, police officer Ronald Kloepfer, who was killed on Sept. 11, 2001.
"He was in ESU Truck 7 and he went into the buildings that morning," Reali said while crying.
Reali said the company immediately embraced the opportunity to help build the memorial.
"When my partner told me there was a job for 9/11, I was like let's just do it," he said. "We wanted to do it for my father-in-law who passed on 9/11."
Wantagh High School Principal Dr. Paul Guzzone said the memorial serves as a lasting commitment to remembering those who were lost.
"It all boils down to the promise that was made 25 years ago and that is to never forget," Guzzone said.
Students who attended the ceremony were not yet born in 2001, but said the stories of that day continue to resonate with them.
"It was very emotional," one student said.
"I feel super sad and emotional, because my dad went in there too, and I might not have been born, like I would have not been here today," said Wantagh student Maisie Stachlik.
"When they started calling up the families for the roses it was so emotional because you see people in the town dealing with this every day," said Wantagh student Madeline Odell.
During the ceremony, family members placed roses beside the names of loved ones honored on the memorial and reflected on the lasting impact of their loss.
Guzzone said the memorial will help ensure future generations remember the lives represented there.
"Every student that walks into our high school will never forget," he said.
----------
* More Long Island news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Download our connected TV app