Washingon, D.C. – New York City Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the IAFF local unions representing New York City firefighters and fire officers have announced plans for a memorial service on October 12, 2002, at Madison Square Garden to honor the 343 members of the FDNY who perished in the tragic September 11, 2001 attack at the World Trade Center. The ceremony will also honor the memories of seven other members of the department killed in the line-of-duty since the last Memorial Service held in October 2000
FDNY and the City of New York will be joined by the IAFF, who will lend its support in the planning and coordination of the service. While FDNY families and members gather inside the Garden, tens of thousands of other IAFF members are expected to show their respects by participating in a formation on the streets outside and view the event via Jumbotron video monitors.
“The Fire Department’s annual Memorial Day – which was cancelled last year after the Sept. 11 attacks – is one of our most important traditions, that of honoring and paying homage to our fallen fire fighters,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. “We are working together with the unions to create this unprecedented memorial service, one that will reflect not only our unity and strength, but the unity and strength of our city and our entire nation.”
The event in Madison Square Garden will be attended by the families of those who died in the line-of-duty, members of the FDNY, the unions and dignitaries. Outside the venue, firefighters and officers from around the nation will gather in formation to pay their respects.
The event is being held the week normally reserved for the FDNY’s annual Memorial Service, traditionally held at the Firemen’s Monument on Riverside Drive at 100th Street. In conjunction with the service, the FDNY will unveil memorial plaques in each of the city’s 75 firehouses that lost members on Sept. 11.
