Hundreds Attend 9/11 Candlelight Vigil in St. James [PHOTOS]

Locals gathered on the lawn and in the parking lot of the 9/11 memorial park at the St. James Fire District for a candlelight vigil Tuesday night, paying respect to those that lost their lives due to the attacks on Ground Zero.

The late Jean Andrucki, a Smithtown resident who died helping people off the 64th floor of the north tower, received a posthumous medal of honor from the  New York & New Jersey Port Authority.

The St. James Fire District, Port Authority and Joe Tobin of the Hillside Fire Department in New Jersey presented her mother, Mary, the medal.

Tobin said Jean, who was a volunteer fire warden for the Port Authority, said she was always full of energy and her presence was known as soon as she walked in the room.

"She had a very bright presence," she said. "You always knew she was there, the life of the party. She was just a great person and I honestly miss her a lot."

Jean, according to her mother, was a scholar-athlete from the first graduating class of Smithtown High School West that played basketball and softball.

Speakers for the memorial ceremony included Deacon Ken Maher from the St. James Funeral Home and Dominick Erkalano of VFW Post 395.