The 2019 graduating class of the New York Fire Department features more than a dozen children of firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11.
Never have there been so many children of 9/11 victims in a graduating class, ABC News reported.
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In an emotional ceremony, 12 sons and one daughter of 9/11 responders who lost their lives in the World Trade Center officially followed in their fathers’ footsteps.
Six other graduates lost their parents to 9/11-related illnesses, and two other graduates are the children of firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty in other incidents.
Brothers Anthony and Leonard Ragaglia Jr., lost their father on 9/11.
“I’ve always wanted to be a Firefighter,” said Leonard Jr. “I’ve always wanted to be like my dad and follow in his footsteps. I always hung around the firehouse as a kid and put his gear on. This is a dream come true.”
Marc and Rebecca Asaro lost their father, Carl, in the 9/11 attacks as well.
“Every day that I came to the academy, I was grateful to be there and to follow in the footsteps of my father, brothers, uncle, and all those who came before. This is exactly where I want to be,” Rebecca said .
“It is an amazing experience, to be able to do the same thing that my father had done, and had given his life for,” added Marc.
Robert Tilearcio Jr. said that took the test the same month his father, a 35-year FDNY veteran, died of a 9/11-related illness.
“I knew he was happy to know I was heading in the right direction,” he said . “I was always at his firehouse and from a young age, I knew this is what I wanted to do. I’ll be thinking about him when I get to my first fire.”
Fire Commissioner Dan Nigro couldn’t be more proud of this class.
“They are honoring their fallen loved ones,” he said. “They are continuing their family’s legacy of service and they are making all of us immensely proud. These legacies are no longer children dreaming of the careers their fathers loved and of serving in the world’s greatest fire department. Today, they fully achieved their dreams.”
h/t: ABC News
