On the shore of Point Lookout, hundreds of Long Islanders braved downpours to take part in the Town of Hempstead's annual Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony.

The event is held Oceanside - that's where many people gathered on that fateful day in 2001 to see the aftermath of the attack on the World Trade Center.

The standing room only crowd held some families who have a tradition of coming year after year.

Deanine Nagengast lost her father in the terrorist attacks. Each year, her family comes to pay tribute to him and reflect on special memories they made in the same sand with him growing up.

"We like to come here because this was actually his favorite beach. We used to come here as a family, as kids so it has a lot of sentimental value for his favorite place. A favorite memory for us as a family so that's why we find a lot of solace and peace when we come down here every year," explained the Seaford resident.

Joe Hatzelman was invited to speak. It was his first time attending the ceremony. His father passed away in 2020 from a 9/11-related cancer. He shared his story of bravery and how he'd like him to be remembered.

The East Northport resident told News 12, "for him and everyone else we just remember them as heroes."

At the conclusion of the rainy ceremony, the sun came out once again, allowing families and the public the opportunity to place white carnations in the oceans wake, or at the remembrance wall at the park.