32 more firefighters dead of 9/11 illnesses, honored

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — 32 new names were added to the Empire State Plaza Memorial which honors the 2,660 firefighters who have died in New York since 1811. 25 of those new names died of 9/11-related illnesses.

The ceremony was held inside of the packed Empire State Convention Center on Monday morning. A recurring theme was the love firefighters had for their communities. 

“Dr. King once said Love is the greatest force in the universe. It is the heartbeat of the moral cosmos” said New York's Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado.

Under the white glove of a flag bearer was a folded American Flag enclosed in a wooden case. It bore the names of fallen firefighters like Deputy Chief Vincent J. Madala. As one name was called, another family mourning stood up, and another flag was handed out. New York State Division of Homeland Security Secretary Jackie Bray compared the love firefighters have for their community with the love she has for her own family.

“I love my nephew so much…I know in my bones that if Oscar was in danger I would without hesitation or reservation throw my body on the line…that is the love they have for their entire community” said Bray.

Denise Verzi’s husband Michael was one of those names. He died 21 years after the towers fell. 

“You know if he could have seen his future he would have went down there anyway because he's a firefighter. That's who they are. They love their jobs,” said Versi.

Some firefighters helped grieving families. They climbed ladders to etch the names of their fallen loved ones on paper. A keepsake for mourning families.

In terms of preventing illness, New York Fire Administrator James Cable says despite challenges on the feral level, the World Trade Center health program helps provide for ailing firefighters. Cable says the state is implementing programs to help teach firefighters how to reduce their exposure to harmful toxins on the job.