Sept. 10, 2011 By Liz Peterson
A small section of Queens Boulevard is being dedicated to the fallen heroes of Sept. 11.
A one-block stretch, starting at 65th Street, has been co-named the Boulevard of Bravery in honor of nine local firemen from FDNY Rescue 4 who lost their lives in the World Trade Center attacks, and six others who also died in the line of duty.
The new sign was unveiled on Friday by Joseph Gandiello, Captain of Rescue 4, and family members of the fallen firefighters.
The renaming project was started 10 years ago by Councilman Walter McCaffrey, who represented Sunnyside in 2001. McCaffrey got the legislation passed that led to the co-naming, but the sign designating the accomplishment was never unveiled. Current Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer finished the project with the dedication ceremony on Sept. 9, 2011.
The event was well attended, including many local politicians, dozens of firefighters and a large group of community supporters. A group of children from P.S.11 touchingly honored the firefighters in a short speech, “We say ‘thank you’ to all the firefighters who saved lives that day, and every day.”
4 Comments
Roger_the_Shrubber, politicians come and go but FDNY is a constant presence. “Boulevard of Heroes” is a fitting name for that little street of the Firehouse of Rescue 4 and Engine 292.
Thank God for the Firefighter
Here’s a brief history of The Maltese Cross:
http://home2.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/history/maltese_cross.shtml
And a “Thank You” to the good people of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for replacing the rescue trucks lost on September 11, 2001. First Responders are a fine band of brothers and sisters ready to help neighbors at any time and any place. May God Bless them all!!!
What a truly fantastic event for our area. Brovo for brammer for picking up the ball after mccffery started this fight 10 years ago. a very proud day for honoring our firemen. Glad to see a great turnout for this importnat event. it is a shame is took so honor these firemen but hard work always pays off.
Nice to see Walter’s project for the lost firemen completed. Thanks Jimmy Von Bramer for pushing forward.
The loss was/is terrible, the remembrance a “good thing”.
Excellent news. God bless all those who made this happen.
It’s an absolute disgrace that the first responders aren’t as welcome at the official Ground Zero ceremonies. Bloomberg should be ashamed.