The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) on Wednesday added 43 names of firefighters who died from 9/11-related illnesses to the department’s World Trade Center Memorial Wall ahead of next week’s anniversary of the terror attacks.
The addition of names marks the second largest group to be added to the memorial wall since its creation in 2011, when 55 names were added.
The memorial wall is a tribute to firefighters killed during the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, or from the lasting health effects from their response that day.
Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh added the 43 names to the wall in a ceremony Wednesday, where family members left flowers in memory of loved ones.
“As we approach the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, the FDNY continues to feel the impact of that day. Each year, this memorial wall grows as we honor those who gave their lives in service of others,” Kavanaugh said in a statement. “These brave men and women showed up that day, and in the days and months following the attacks to participate in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site. We will never forget them.”
“We host this ceremony each year, with sorrow. But we do it because it shows the families that even though their loved ones are gone, they are never forgotten,” said Chief of the Department John Hodgens.
The wall’s additions bring the total of FDNY members who died from post-9/11 illnesses to 331, according to ABC News. That is closely approaching the total of 343 FDNY firefighters who died on the day of the attacks.
