Ninth Annual Father Mychal Judge Walk of Remembrance Held in Manhattan
Father Mychal Judge's bunker coat and helmet, which was recovered in the rubble of the World Trade Center, was dedicated during the walk. The gear will now be part of a permanent exhibit at the New York City Fire Museum.
FDNY members gathered in Manhattan on Sept. 4, to honor the life of Father Mychal Judge, the FDNY Chaplain who was the first recorded victim of the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
The tribute began at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Midtown Manhattan, Father Judge’s church across the street from Engine 1/Ladder 24, and continued to the World Trade Center site.
"This Walk is the culmination of a lot of love from a lot of people," Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano said.
Hundreds of people walked the path in the late-summer heat and humidity, including Father Judge’s twin sister, Dympna.
It began with the dedication of a fire apparatus in Father Judge’s name, which will be donated to a firehouse in Peru. The walk continued downtown, stopping at various firehouses and police precincts along the way to honor the memory of the 342 other FDNY, 23 NYPD and 37 PAPD members killed on 9/11.
Another stop was at the New York City Fire Museum, where the bunker coat and helmet that Father Judge wore on Sept. 11, 2001, were blessed. The gear, which was recovered from the rubble of the World Trade Center, will be on permanent display at the Museum.
"This is an event that brings all first responders together each year," said Chief of Department Edward Kilduff. "Thank you for coming out to honor him and all the other first responders killed 10 years ago."
Passersby stopped and applauded as the parade snaked through the streets of lower Manhattan.
The Walk ended at the 9/11 Memorial Wall outside Engine 10/Ladder 10. The Wall, which was funded by Holland and Knight, was rededicated at the ceremony.