Foundation Joins FDNY to Mark the 15th Anniversary of Sept. 11th Attacks
September 11, 2016
FDNY Foundation Joins FDNY in Mourning Line of Duty Death
September 27, 2016
FDNY Foundation Hosts FDNY All-Star Breakfast
Longtime friends of the FDNY, business leaders and legends from the worlds of sports, television, radio and the arts came together to mark the 15th anniversary of September 11th at the annual FDNY All-Star Breakfast on Wed., Sept 14.
“We face those memories every day – and it’s important to never forget them… the brave 343 members of this Department we lost that day, the 127 FDNY members who have died since due to illness, and all of our members who continue to battle illness still today,” said Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro. “There are traditions that we take part in – the reading of names, memorials – these are important reminders of the heroes of our Department. But it’s also important to build new memories as well, and new traditions, that continue to honor their sacrifice. This morning’s event is one of those new traditions which brings some happiness during the roughest time of the year.”
“Let us never forget the 343 FDNY members who made the Supreme Sacrifice 15 years ago on September 11th and all those we have lost since,” said Chief of Department James Leonard. “The sports leagues in the city have all shown support to the FDNY over the years. MLB, NHL, NBA, NFL and the USTA supported us in the days after September 11th, and you are still here today. We are all huge fans and appreciate you remembering the members of the FDNY now and in the past by your actions.”
The event was hosted by Sports Radio host and good friend to the FDNY, Mike Francesca, at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan.
Tennis great John McEnroe, Knicks legend John Starks, World Series Champion Art Shamsky, longtime New York Jet Fred Baxter, actor Dominic Chianese of Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire fame, as well as on-air talent from NBC New York – including Darlene Rodriguez, David Ushery, Stefan Holt, Chris Cimino and Dave Price – were among the celebrities who turned out to honor the anniversary and the members of the FDNY, as well as to support the FDNY Foundation.
The All-Star Breakfast is one of the Foundation’s most popular events and serves as one of its biggest fundraisers of the year. Support from the Foundation allows the Department to fund awareness and outreach programs, fire and life safety education across the city, as well as FDNY member training and new technology and equipment.
“Each year, this event brings together so many of our partners and supporters, people who work so hard to make sure we have the funds we need to help keep the FDNY the Greatest Fire Department in the World,” said FDNY Foundation Board Member Joe Coppotelli. “This event is a testament to the generosity of the New York City community, and their belief in the Department. This support is critical to our ability to help the FDNY keep New Yorkers safe.”
“Thank all of our business leaders and friends here today,” said Chief Leonard. “Your ongoing support of the Foundation helps make it possible for our members to have the best equipment, training and education needed to do this job.”
“When we gather here, it’s a chance to honor those we lost, but also to work towards improving the Department they served,” said Commissioner Nigro. “Through your support of the FDNY Foundation, we continue to improve the safety and training of our members, and we continue to drive down the number of people lost to fire each year.”
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More photos here.
"We face those memories every day – and it’s important to never forget them... the brave 343 members of this Department we lost that day, the 127 FDNY members who have died since due to illness, and all of our members who continue to battle illness still today,” said Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro. “There are traditions that we take part in - the reading of names, memorials - these are important reminders of the heroes of our Department. But it’s also important to build new memories as well, and new traditions, that continue to honor their sacrifice. This morning’s event is one of those new traditions which brings some happiness during the roughest time of the year."
