Solemn march remembers Brooklyn’s fallen firefighters on 9/11

September 11, 2017 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Accompanied by ceremonial motorcycles broadcasting “Amazing Grace,” firefighters from across the country marched through Downtown Brooklyn on Monday to remember Brooklyn’s FDNY members and all who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. Eagle photos by Mary Frost

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Led by ceremonial motorcycles, firefighters from across the country joined together in a solemn march across the Brooklyn Bridge and Mass in Downtown Brooklyn on Monday to remember FDNY firefighters and others who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Starting from Ground Zero in lower Manhattan, the group paraded 23 FDNY ceremonial flags in single file across the bridge. Each flag represented one of 23 firefighters from Battalion 57 in Brooklyn killed in the line of duty at the World Trade Center. Their bodies were never recovered.

The procession also included an FDNY ceremonial flag for every New York City firefighter killed on 9/11, and an American flag in remembrance of all who died that day.

“It’s a great day of remembrance for the guys at [companies] 219/105,” said FDNY Captain Charles Saladis. “I’ve been out of there for about 15 years, and every year I get back there to walk in remembrance. They were great guys and their bravery was totally humbling and amazing.”

He added, “Those guys, what they did down there and what the families went through, they’re in my thoughts and prayers every day.”

Saladis is currently captain of Ladder Co. 79 Staten Island.

The procession marched past several firehouses to the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights for a noontime Mass.