For those of you who could not attend the Mets/Atlanta Braves game on Saturday night, September 28th, the Department was honored by the Mets at the pre-game ceremony.

The ceremony opened with an on-field presentation by the Department’s Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Band and our Honor Guard while the scoreboard flashed the message: "The Mets welcome the New York City Sanitation Department." Mets player John Franco - whose father was a Sanitation Worker - then presented us with the Mets’ "Spirit Award."

As the award was presented, photographs of the Department at work appeared on the jumbotron as the following announcement was read: "Tonight the Mets honor the New York City Sanitation Department and all its members for their hard work and contribution to the recovery and clean-up efforts immediately following the events of September 11th. Although not recognized on a daily basis, the Department played a vital role each and every day at Ground Zero. They also worked around the clock to gather information which helped identify victims, providing some sense of closure for family and friends. The recovery and clean-up of Ground Zero could not have been completed without the involvement of this Department and the Mets applaud your efforts and dedication."

Thank you, Mets, for this wonderful tribute.