Last night, we had the great opportunity to honor three wonderful contributors to our department at our annual Charles N. Davidson awards ceremony. Lieutenant Joseph Bruneau, retired firefighter Louis Faugno, and longtime Center Volunteer Firefighter Peter Carew. Between them, these men have exemplified what it has meant to serve their city as not just firefighters but proud residents of our city. We thank them for all they’ve done and continue to do for our city and we also thank the staff at Lorenzo’s for their wonderful hospitality in allowing us to host this time honored tradition.

As the 24th anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 approaches, we in the Center District continued what has become an annual tradition of the laying of American flags. With the laying of these flags, we remember each life lost on that terrible day. The 343 firefighters of the FDNY, 37 Port Authority Police Officers, 23 NYPD Officers, 3 Court Officers, and 2 Federal Agents who courageously rushed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center to rescue those trapped, but also the many more first responders who’ve died since of illnesses related to their work at the sight in the months that followed. Laying the first flag was retired FDNY Lieutenant Mickey Cross, who responded with his Engine Company that day and miraculously, survived the collapse of the North Tower. Though nearly a quarter century has passed since 9/11, the memory of those lost and the mission to honor them has not and never will fade. We mean what we say when we say we will Never Forget.