09/11/2026
The Flag of Heroes
In nearly every single firehouse in the country, there is some sort of remembrance of September 11th. Some have newspapers framed. Some have a list of names. Some even have a piece of the World Trade Center in a memorial area inside or outside of the station. In many houses like ours, the Flag of Heroes hangs prominently.
The flag may be easy to overlook on day to day operations, and its impact may not be felt as strongly among younger and newer firefighters as years go by, but we cannot forget its significance.
The flag contains the names of first responders killed in the line of duty that day. A total of 404 names.
343 New York firefighters
37 Port Authority police officers
23 New York police officers
1 New York fire patrolman
But the flag contains more than names, it holds stories.
Captain Mike Warchola, Ladder 5, who was two days from his last tour before retiring on 9/13.
Officer John Perry, NYPD, was also soon to retire. He was filing his paperwork at headquarters when the attacks happened.
Battalion Chief 7 Orio Palmer and Fire Marshal Ronald Bucca, both avid runners, who climbed to the 78th floor of the South Tower. The only two responders to reach an impact zone.
Fire Patrolman Kieth Roma, the only member of the fire patrol to be killed that day. Working side by side with other firefighters, patrolmen would work to salvage and prevent excess damage to property during fires. He ascended the North Tower with other crews.
Chief Peter Ganci, the Chief of the FDNY. Although high level chiefs primarily work at a desk and do not respond to fire calls, he responded to the attacks and personally led recovery efforts after the first collapse, killed when the South Tower came down.
Firefighter Daniel Suhr, Engine 216, was the first FDNY member killed. He lost his life when struck by a falling body.
Firefighter Carl Bini, Rescue 5, and Firefighter Robert Curatola, Ladder 16, who were off duty and responded anyway. Curatola was married just weeks earlier.
Firefighter Gary Box and Firefighter Stephen Siller, Squad 1. When the Squad encountered impassable gridlocked traffic during the response, they and fellow members got out and ran from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center, roughly 3 miles in full gear with tools. None of Squad 1 survived. The Tunnel to Towers foundation is in their honor.
Detective Joseph Vigiano, NYPD, and Firefighter John Vigiano Jr, Ladder 132, were brothers. Both were killed when the towers collapsed.
Captain Kathy Mazza, PAPD, was a nurse prior to becoming a police officer, and helped treat and evacuate many injured persons.
14 FDNY companies, Rescues 1, 3, 4, Engines 33, 54, Ladders 3, 4, 7, 105, 101, 118, Squads 1, 288, Haz-Mat 1, who lost all of their responding members, accounting for almost a third of the FDNY casualties.
Countless more stories that should be told. Each name holds a unique story of a life cut tragically short. A parent, child, or sibling who never came back. Every one answered the call, knowing the dangers, but committed and resolved to do their work and save lives.
Today we commemorate their sacrifice, but every day we come to the station and walk past the flag, we remember them. We read their names. We know their story.
Never Forget means Always Remember.
