2011 FDNY Memorial Service

On September 11th, 2011 there were a number of services throughout the City of New York to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Center tragedy. For the past 9 years, a memorial service has been provided for the FDNY families as a place to come together and share the day to honor their lost brothers. The companies of the FDNY 18th Battalion hosted the 10th Annual Memorial Service at the Firefighters Monument on Riverside Drive and West 100th Street in the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

I had the honor of attending this ceremony. The steps leading up to the Fireman's Monument were packed with FDNY firefighters that Sunday morning. Thousands of other firefighters from across the world crowded the street in front of it. On each side of the memorial, there were a total 343 American flags to honor the bravest who perished in the terrorist attacks.

Among the patches from different Fire Departments seen on the uniforms of firefighters at the memorial, there were contingents from as far away as France and Australia. During the memorial, the names were read, prayers were given and songs were sung, all in the honor of those who sacrificed their lives ten years ago. My heartfelt thanks go out to my brothers from Parsippany, NJ’s Fire District 5 for making room for me on this trip to the City.