June 12, 2015 By Michael Florio
A mural dedicated to three local residents who were killed on 9/11 has been painted onto to a Jackson Heights wall.
The mural is in honor of Marcello Matricciano, Edward Lehman and James Cartier who were working in the towers on the day of the terrorist attacks.
“The September 11th attacks were a terrible tragedy and the after effects are still being felt throughout this city and in this neighborhood,” Assemblyman Michael DenDekker said. “This mural is a way for us as a community to remember those whose lives were senselessly taken too soon,” he added.
The mural has been painted on the side wall of N & R Deli, located on the corner of 78th Street and 25th Ave. It was painted by Groundswell, a non-profit public arts group.
The N&R Deli wall was selected as the place to honor the victims since it is centrally located and the deli owner was on board, according to DenDekker’s office.
DenDekker will be hosting a mural unveiling tomorrow (Saturday) at 2:30 pm.
“As a September 11th responder myself, I am honored to live in a community that has worked with these families and with Groundswell to bring this art and this memorial to Jackson Heights and East Elmhurst,” DenDekker said.
The mural will serve as a reminder of the tragedy of 9/11 and the lives that were lost, he said.
“This public artwork will ensure that the memory of these local residents is honored by passersby and that their contribution to their community is permanently recognized,” Councilman Costa Constantinides, who will be joining DenDekker at the unveiling, said.
“The painting of the mural itself has also contributed to our neighborhood by exposing under-served children to the arts,” he added.