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Uniondale Herald 09-14-2023

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Xavier Parris honored at Bernard Brown By REINE BETHANY rbethany@liherald.com

Brandon Cruz/Herald

The Rev. Eric Mallette, of the Greater Second Baptist Church of Freeport, a former Marine, speaking about strength, resilience and unity at the Town of Hempstead’s 9/11 Memorial in Point Lookout.

A rainy day of remembrance Hundreds gather to pay respects despite the weather By BRANDON CRUZ bcruz@liherald.com

On the 22nd anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, the day that forever changed the nation and the world, the Town of Hempstead kept its promise to “never forget” by hosting the largest memorial on Long Island in Point Lookout on Monday morning. Not even a torrential downpour kept people from showing up to pay their respects to the nearly 3,000 lives lost at the World Trade

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Center, at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania — nearly a quarter of the dead from Long Island, and seven from Uniondale and Hempstead. The town memorial itself is a stirring reminder of both the tragedy of 9/11 and the hope that emerged from the ashes in the weeks and months afterward. The centerpiece is a twisted steel beam from the World Trade Center, a stark symbol of the destruction of the terrorist attacks. Surrounding it ConTinuEd on PaGE 15

Talented, popular Xavier Parris was so beloved in his community that his nickname was “Mr. Uniondale.” He died last Oct. 29, at 26, when a car in which he was a passenger crashed in Hempstead. “Xavier was well-known, wellregarded,” his mother, Empress Henderson, said. “Both of our children, Xavier and Solomon, matriculated in the Uniondale school district. My husband (Ter rance Henderson) has taught at Turtle Hook Middle School for 22 years, and we were residents of Uniondale for 14 years, until 2016, when we moved to Massapequa. So this tragedy impacted the community deeply.” Donnell Hill, of Hempstead, was drunk at the wheel of the car and lost control on Jerusalem Avenue, according to Nassau County police, But Xavier’s family and friends did not waste energy on expressing bitterness. Instead they established the Mr. Uniondale: in Memory of Xavier Parris Scholarship Fund. Then, on Aug. 26, they funded the scholarship by hosting eight hours of family fun in Uniondale’s Bernard Brown Park.

They posted ads on social media and flyers throughout the community. At least 150 people attended, many of them former classmates and friends of Xavier’s and Solomon’s who are now in their 20s. “All of these young people were impacted deeply by his death and wanted a way to heal,” Empress said. Xavier’s enthusiasm for basketball inspired a 3-on-3 tournament early in the day. Players paid a registration fee that included a meal, and a blue or white jersey emblazoned with “1st Annual 3-on-3 Tournament. Xavier Parris. ‘Mr. Uniondale.’” The competition was organized by Uniondale friends of the Parris brothers, including Jordan Butler, Malcolm Carter, Tyreek Leftenant, Ian Miller, Matthew Cole and Casey Russell. After the tour nament, a dance-off honored Parris’s moves on the dance floor. The contestants didn’t seem to notice the heat as they twisted, jumped and gyrated. Eight young women from Beacon’s Finest Step Team, a Queens-based group that performs at community functions and step-team competitions, stoked the crowd with their imaginative, unpredictable routines. ConTinuEd on PaGE 15


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