A new memorial is helping families of victims of September 11 through the grieving process. In the following story, NY1 Manhattan Reporter Rebecca Spitz takes us to a peaceful oasis across from a respected firehouse.
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and message from Paul's dad
Families laid roses Tuesday at a fountain created in the memory of 15 fallen firefighters. The granite piece, inscribed with their names, is the centerpiece of a new park dedicated to Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9, also known as the “Pride of Midtown.”
“As the names of our fallen brothers are carved in stone on the fountain, so they are carved forever in our hearts. As the water flows from the fountain, so the memories will flow from our hearts," Battalion 9 Chief Joseph Nardone said Tuesday.
Tears flowed as the chief lovingly remembered each of his men, as well as when Mary Anne Regan, a firefighter's widow, sang a memorial to the fallen firefighters.
The space for the memorial park was donated by the Ritz Plaza, a hotel diagonally across the street from the firehouse.
“This was their second home, and to be able to go to the firehouse and just walk across the street, it's great,” said Wendy Feinberg, the widow of a firefighter. “I just hope everybody else can find the same kind of peace coming here that they need to do."
Even though this is a public park, many families say it's still more private and more peaceful than the World Trade Center site.
According to Linda Taccetta, the sister of a fallen firefighter, “We've been to Ground Zero a couple of times and even to the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island. We've been there and I'd still rather come here. It just feels more like home."
Many firefighters who used to work in the house came “home” for the dedication, and say it's almost impossible to recover after losing 15 brothers.
“I mean, the memories…every day they're reminded of the people they worked with, but when the community gets involved and lets us know how it feels about us, it really, really helps,” said Battalion Chief John Belnavis.
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At the park's entrance is a granite plaque with a quote from Plato: "The soul of man is immortal and imperishable."
And now permanently etched in the city's history.
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