Firefighters gathered on Friday morning at the Fireman’s Memorial inside Riverside Park to honor the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11. Photo by Jake Sigal.
#9/11 Ceremony begins. #Firemen'sMemorial #RiversidePark. Bells mark rollcall of 343 #FDNY men lost. @westsiderag pic.twitter.com/hkkJL3AU6D
— Joan Paylo (@westsidejoanie) September 11, 2015
#FDNY members hold annual services to #NeverForget throughout #NYC, including #Battalion18 on the #UpperWestSide. pic.twitter.com/la1X75tccF
— FDNY (@FDNY) September 11, 2015
At Lincoln Center, Buglisi Dance Theater performed its annual commemorative dance.
Observing 9/11 with the beautiful artistry of Jacqulyn Buglisi and over 150 dancers. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/JfOrmsCxb1
— Larry Keigwin (@Larry_Keigwin) September 11, 2015
The NYPD also held ceremonies, like this one at the 24th precinct:
Our @NYPDPBMN Borough Commander, Chief O'Reilly, reads the names of the fallen officers, fourteen years ago, today. pic.twitter.com/aHih1kyeXY
— NYPD 24th Precinct (@NYPD24Pct) September 11, 2015
Photo by Jake Sigal from West 106th street.
The Upper West Side’s Engine 40 and Ladder 35 near Lincoln Center was decimated on 9/11, losing 12 men. Survivors from the firehouse have also struggled; Ray Pfeifer helped rescue and recovery efforts for eight months, and now has cancer. The Zadroga Act to help recovery workers exposed to toxic dust runs out soon, and it’s put him in an anxiety–provoking situation:
Pfeifer, who retired a year ago after 27 years on the job, worries about what will happen to him and his family if the extension doesn’t pass. Before cancers were added to the list of certified World Trade Center Program ailments in September 2012, he had to go into debt to cover his medical expenses. He said he was lucky to have friends at work who raised enough money for him to cover his bills at a March 2012 fundraiser.
“We beg all the time, that’s how I feel,” he said. “The federal government said that ‘Okay, yes, you are sick, and yes, it came from the toxins that were down there.’ Why do I feel like I have to beg to get this extended?”
In honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11. (With images).
Samuel Barber – Adagio for Strings, op.11
Leonard Slatkin
Performed on September 15 2001, with the BBC Orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRMz8fKkG2g
It’s difficult to find poetry for this solemn day. World events are not a poet’s province.
I liked the sharp contrast of the two included here.
I submit them via internet link to preclude copyright infringements.
“The Window at the Moment of Flame”
Alicia Ostriker
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/181768
“What I Said”
Norman Stock
https://sites.google.com/a/prestonhs.org/abel/other/junkyard/10/beowulf/what-i-said
Thank you. This is mine: Emily Dickinson’s “After Great Pain”
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/177118
The first photo of the firefighters is powerful in the way it conveys solidarity. Nice work.
I will never forget how calm the UWS was that day. In the evening, I went to the Grestedies on 85th Street and there were no panic shoppers. There were normal shoppers getting a few items. Any other city would have fallen into panic. I am not sure if it was some special NYC attitude or lots of Prozac, but good job people.
The no-fly zone, established very quickly (and requested by Mayor Guiliani), helped, I think, to quell a lot of fear; also our leadership and our services. We had the best. Instead of escaping, people (and help) were actually flowing in, I thought.
On West 79th street, I encountered a bagpiper coming out of a pub between Broadway and Amsterdam. He was from Boston, he told me, and had come to “cheer up the City.”
On Sunday, the 16th, I found that Blessed Sacrament Church (W.71st St.) was over capacity, and a fair portion of the unfamiliar worshippers looked to me like out-of-towners. The locals, I wondered, why were they attending? I think more out of gratitude than fear. This was home, and we weren’t running. We sang Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America”, I think, and certainly, “America the Beautiful.”.
“America, God shed his grace on thee”. I took the “shed” as a past and granted event to be thankful for in this City, more than as a plea and a prayer.
@Jeff … so true. I remember the same feeling. So quiet, as if we were in a church or a museum … everything in a sort of slow-motion. Almost as if we made any significant noise or fast movement, another terrible “something” might happen. I’ve lived in NYC since 1969. I’ve never felt anything like that before or since.
We were all calm; confident that we would rebuild; confident also that, beside the envy which NYers had always provoked, we were winning admiration and hearts. We had created the world’s (and maybe even history’s) greatest city. We’d resume our work on Wednesday.
I remember walking home from the office, totally alone in the middle of Sheep’s Meadow. No noise; no people, no planes flying, no birds, no cars there either. All was silence — until it was struck down by the whooshing sound of a fighter jet above. And I grasped, for the first time, that New York was part of the Union.
Thanks, Avi, for posting this. A post and issue we all agree on, which reminds us of why we are proud to be NYers.
I, for one am glad to see that this Fireman’s Monument at 100th Street and RSD is being properly kept up. It is only fitting and proper that we recognize our FDNY for the great bunch of people that they are.
And God bless all those guys and gals who really did give “that last full measure of devotion”.
And they are still giving, O-D. A couple of years back, my husband passed out in the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. The Bravest were right there without even a 911 call, and it wasn’t only their skill that was awesome, it was their zeal and especially the comforting fact that they took care of my husband as if he were a blood brother.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that S.I., with the smallest population, lost more of their men on 9/11 than any other borough did. I counted the names on their humble monument by the Harbor. I’ll press further: It’s also possible that S.I. lost more of their men on that day than all the other boroughs combined.
I appreciate and share everyone’s observations, and as someone who walks past the Firemans Memorial every day, I too appreciate how well it is kept up. Except I must say that the lovely fountain has been shut for most of the summer, and I was wondering if anyone knows why and whether there’s a likelihood that it’ll be back in business soon, or at least by next spring.
About a week ago, a Parks Dept. crew told me that the pump was being repaired.
The fountain was running yesterday, 9/11.
As someone who has lived, for 40 years, very close to the firemen’s monument — on the Riverside Drive service road and 100th St. — I can reflect on the recent history of ceremonies there.
This September 11 ceremony seems to be an “unofficial” gathering that has occurred only in recent years. There has always been the mid-October memorial service held at the monument. This is an an annual gathering of many firemen, officials and others at which each year all firefighters who’ve died in the preceding 12 months — on the job and from old age or illness — are honored by name. Commissioners, elected officials, department brass and others make short speeches. A bell is rung for each departed firefighter. There is a short march along the main RSD.
This annual ceremony, which I’ve watched (and photographed) many times, has always been a non-partisan event without politics. That is, except for one time, in the fall of 2000, a years before the WTC attack. That year, Giuliani along with his police thug Kerick (oops, I meant commissioner) saw fit to invite then-candidate George W. Bush to make a speech there. Security was very tight, with ordinary residents banned from the area.
Needless to say, many members of the FDNY were quite upset over the politicization of this ceremony. Critics and others blasted the mayor. I remember reading a particularly scathing piece by Pete Hamill.
If I’m not mistaken, the annual ceremony was not held in 2001 — the city, FDNY and others were most likely in too much shock. The mid-October memorial was back the following year. I’m not exactly sure when the gathering on the 9/11 anniversary started.
However, ever that day 14 years ago, neighbors living close by (and some far away) have gone down to the monument later in the day to light candles, place their own flowers and cards.
For the first few years, many people showed up. In the evening sometimes, there was singing, chanting and other activities of a community honoring the dead.
I think as time has gone by, there’s less interest or even knowledge, as 14 years is a long time. Many people who lived around here in the early 2000s have probably moved on while perhaps many newer, younger residents carry no memories of that horrific day.
I went down yesterday afternoon and put my own small candle down. At 3 p.m., it was the only one there (I couldn’t get back down later in the day or evening).
For anyone who reads this blog and hasn’t visited the firemen’s monument, it is worth a look. The monument itself was completely rebuilt some years back, and when the fountain is running (in Spring, Summer and Fall though it breaks down often), it is a lovely, calm spot.
In recent years, the monument has been graffiti-free (I remember how a feature film crew — “The Warriors” from 1979 — trashed the whole spot and didn’t clean up when they left).
The only problem today might be a homeless person or two sleeping it off on the benches. But as there seem to be a lot more of them in the area north of 96th St., that’s an entirely different topic.
I forgot that there is soon coming up the mid-October ceremony for this year.
What is the exact date and time, Joe?
Joe and Elizabeth, I have found a site that indicates a date of October 7th for this year’s ceremonies. I include the address below, as well as the “Daily News” article about last year’s observance, at which the Mayor was in attendance. Now, we have to find out whether the ceremonies start at 10:00 or at 11:00 a.m.
Judging from the “Daily News” article, it’s a bigger thing than I thought. You know, this year marks the 150th Anniversary of the FDNY.
I think that it would be nice if WSR did pictures and a story.
Joe, if I bring flowers (maybe a live and potted), will they disappear overnight?
https://www.ufanyc.org/cms/pages/calendar
https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/praise-fdny-heroes-annual-memorial-service-article-1.1967942
Thanks for finding these pages (I’m technically challenged these days, so my searches aren’t always very productive).
The UFA certainly would know the date. I always knew a few days in advance as there are “no-parking” signs up on this far-west block of 100th St. when I go out the door. They also ban parking for half a dozen blocks up and down the main RSD.
I don’t remember seeing that Daily News piece last year. Thanks also for finding that. It does seem though, like an afterthought on their part. This ceremony is normally not that important to the media. The reporter the News sent got the cross-street wrong (not that I should complain, as no matter how hard I try, my posts here usually have a typo or two).
As for the flowers, I really can’t say, as I don’t stay down there too long and watch everyone. It seems that flowers and other items are there for a few days at least, until the Parks Dept. cleans the whole area. You would think people would be respectful, but these days who knows.
If I were leaving flowers, I would just get an inexpensive bunch of cut stems. Leaving them on the lip of the fountain probably keeps them fresh with the spray. I certainly wouldn’t spend $ on a potted arrangement. Remember, it’s the thought that counts. You can probably leave your flowers after the brass and other officials depart.
Maybe Jake Sigal can take some photos of the ceremony and WSR can put them up here?
I would love to be there and photograph it but at this time I will not be available during the time of the memorial, but if my schedule opens up, that is my next top priority to shoot.
Joe that is a wonderful idea. How about it, Jake?
Yes D.R., that is an excellent idea. I love that particular monument. Joe please let us know the date of that October ceremony, if you have that info. Thanks to all of you for your heartfelt posts.
I can’t find the exact date now. It’s usually during the second week of October.
I would think it will be listed on this site very soon:
https://www1.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/units/fau/events.shtml
It starts about 10-11 a.m. Best place to watch is usually from the far (downtown) side of the main RSD, especially if they set up risers.
FYI, here’s the Parks Dept. page for the monument, with historical details:
https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/riverside-park/monuments/482
Thank you so much, Joe, for so meticulously describing this for us and providing us with the history.
Maybe next year, you, or the WSR, could remind us of this event a few days before it occurs, so we could all attend.