Empire State Plaza Memorial Honors 32 Fallen Firefighters, Including 25 Who Died of 9/11-Related Illnesses
Ceremony Held at Empire State Convention Center
On Monday morning, a packed Empire State Convention Center held a ceremony to add 32 new names to the Empire State Plaza Memorial. The memorial honors the 2,660 firefighters who have died in New York since 1811. Twenty-five of the newly added names were firefighters who died of 9/11-related illnesses.
Love for Community a Recurring Theme
The ceremony featured a recurring theme of the love firefighters have for their communities. New York’s Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado quoted Dr. King, saying, “Love is the greatest force in the universe. It is the heartbeat of the moral cosmos.” New York State Division of Homeland Security Secretary Jackie Bray compared the love firefighters have for their community with the love she has for her own family, saying, “I love my nephew so much…I know in my bones that if Oscar was in danger I would without hesitation or reservation throw my body on the line…that is the love they have for their entire community.”
Families Pay Tribute to Fallen Firefighters
The ceremony featured a poignant moment as families of the fallen firefighters stood up as their loved one’s name was called. A folded American Flag enclosed in a wooden case was handed out to each family, bearing the name of their fallen firefighter. Denise Verzi’s husband Michael was one of the names added to the memorial. He died 21 years after the towers fell. Verzi said, “You know if he could have seen his future he would have went down there anyway because he’s a firefighter. That’s who they are. They love their jobs.”
Firefighters Help Grieving Families
Some firefighters helped grieving families by climbing ladders to etch the names of their fallen loved ones on paper, creating a keepsake for the mourning families.
Preventing Illness and Exposure
New York Fire Administrator James Cable spoke about the challenges of preventing illness and exposure to harmful toxins on the job. Despite these challenges, the World Trade Center health program helps provide for ailing firefighters. Cable said the state is implementing programs to teach firefighters how to reduce their exposure to harmful toxins on the job.
Conclusion
The ceremony at the Empire State Convention Center honored the sacrifices of 32 fallen firefighters, including 25 who died of 9/11-related illnesses. The love and devotion of firefighters to their communities was a recurring theme throughout the ceremony. The state is working to prevent illness and exposure to harmful toxins on the job, providing support to ailing firefighters and their families.
