The FDNY unveiled a new World Trade Center Retired Responders Memorial Wall with dedication ceremonies at its headquarters in Brooklyn. The 154 members honored were retired at the time of the September 11th attacks, but responded to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts at the site. All later died of WTC-related illnesses.
The FDNY Foundation joins the FDNY in honoring and remembering these 154 FDNY members. We will never forget their service, sacrifice, dedication, and selflessness. They will never be forgotten.
The FDNY Foundation is honored to fund the new memorial wall and the ceremonies.
“This moment, this place, at this time— we are all experiencing something together. We have exactly the same thing in common. We are one people. We are the family of FDNY,” said Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore. “It’s my privilege to welcome you home today.”
The new memorial wall is positioned directly across from the WTC Memorial Wall, which honors members lost to WTC-related illnesses who were on active duty at the time of the attacks.
“We are pleased to dedicate this wall because we know it more completely tells the story of September 11th,” said Chief of Department John Esposito. “I know and I remember, the impact that our retired members had in the response and recovery, and rebuilding after that terrible day.”
“In the safe confines of our World Trade Center Health Program, they fought through the treatments, the surgeries, transplants, pain, suffering, and the uncertainty of whether they would see the next day,” added Chief Medical Officer David Prezant.
As the toll from WTC-related illnesses continues to rise, the wall has space for additional names.
To accommodate the large numbers of families and friends who paid their respects, the names of members were added over three days at five different plaque dedications, June 9, for Manhattan and the Bronx responders, June 10, for Staten Island and Brooklyn responders, and June 11 for Queens responders.
Together, the memorial walls at FDNY headquarters honor the memory of those who bravely served at Manhattan Box 5-5-8087 Word Trade Center.
To view more photos from the ceremonies, click HERE.