The FDNY's official nonprofit organization honors September 11th with first-ever FDNY Foundation Never Forget Memorial Scholarships

February 26, 2026

In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of September 11th, the FDNY and the FDNY Foundation hosted the first-ever Never Forget Memorial Scholarship Ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, inside the Commissioner Robert O. Lowery Auditorium at Department headquarters in Brooklyn.

The inaugural scholarship ceremony honors the enduring legacy of the Department's leadership and officers killed in the line of duty on September 11, 2001, and pays tribute to all those lost that day and those who have since died of illnesses related to the rescue and recovery efforts.

Each scholarship awarded to active FDNY members carries the name and legacy of one of the fallen heroes, ensuring their memory continues to inspire future generations of FDNY members.

"The future of our Department is shaped by education, training and a constant desire to be better," FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said at the ceremony. "I want to thank the FDNY Foundation. These scholarships have a profound impact on all the recipients and on the future of the FDNY. By investing in our people, you are investing in the safety of our city and the strength of this Department for generations to come. Congratulations to all of today's recipients."

"Of all the things we do at the FDNY Foundation, what we are here to do today—to help further the higher education of our members—is undoubtedly one of the most gratifying," FDNY Foundation Chairman Matthew J. DiLiberto said. "Your character—and the desire that you have to challenge yourself and advance your career in this Department while simultaneously doing an incredibly dangerous job—is what makes this Department so strong today and ensures that it will be strong for generations to come."

With these scholarships, the FDNY Foundation, the official nonprofit organization of the FDNY, supports Department members who are pursuing continuing education—a critical step in professional growth and advancement within the FDNY. This first-of-its-kind ceremony establishes a lasting tradition that links education, service and remembrance as the Department approaches the 25th anniversary of September 11th.