As America commemorates the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) has revealed that the death toll from that fateful day has increased.
During a ceremony held on Wednesday, an additional 43 new names were added to the World Trade Center Memorial Wall, honoring the firefighters, paramedics, and support staff who have succumbed to illnesses directly linked to their heroic actions during the 9/11 rescue and recovery efforts.
As reported by ABC News, the FDNY's latest additions have elevated the death toll - now nearing the number of firefighters who were killed on the day of the attacks. The total stands at an astounding 331 members. New York Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh addressed the crowd, affirming that these individuals are unequivocally "heroes".
"As we approach the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, the FDNY continues to feel the impact of that day," Kavanagh announced during the ceremony in Lower Manhattan. "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."
The ceremony included visuals of each new name and photo flashed on screens, a poignant way to honor those added to the wall. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, "There's no consolation, no words. There's nothing we can say to replace the pain that they sustained in the experience throughout the years as we mourn further and further away from the September 11th attacks."
The names added to the wall are as follows:
Marine Wiper Bruce Peat, Lt. Joseph Brosi, Battalion Chief James J. Hanley, Firefighter Victor A. Cantelmo, Battalion Chief Vincent G. Lyons, Capt. Paul W. Schmalzried, Firefighter Ronald J. Kirchner, Firefighter William M. Hughes, Firefighter Gregg Lawrence, Battalion Chief Joseph A. McKie, Lt. James F. McCauley, Jr., Battalion Chief Stephen J. Geraghty, Firefighter George J. Tripptree, Firefighter Peter A. Chiodo, Firefighter John F. McDonnell, Battalion Chief Brian E. O'Flaherty, paramedic Peter L. Bushey, paramedic Paul Daniels, Capt. Gary A. Nybro, Firefighter James C. Mager, Firefighter Douglas F. Harkins, Lt. Richard Kobbe, Fire Marshal Karl J. Sederholt, Lt. James J. Burns II, Firefighter Michael T. Costa, and Capt. Neil R. Ferro.Each individual symbolizes the lasting sacrifice and bravery demonstrated during and after one of America's darkest days.
The inscription on the Memorial Wall, dedicated in 2011, reads as a constant reminder: "Dedicated to the memory of those who bravely served this department protecting life and property in the City of New York in the rescue and recovery effort at Manhattan Box 5-5-8087 World Trade Center."
Mayor Adams, a retired NYC police captain who responded on 9/11, emphasized not just the tragedies of the attacks but the resilience that followed. "We often reflect on the 11th. But I also remember Sept. 12th," he said. "We got up... we responded not by buckling to terrorism and terror, but by responding with the level of bravery that we are known for."
On this, the 22nd anniversary of the attacks, this expansion of the Memorial Wall serves as yet another important reminder of the long-term consequences still unfolding from that fateful day.
Our thoughts continue to go out to everybody impacted by the events.