The FDNY is holding the 25th Memorial Service at FerryHawks baseball stadium in Staten Island for the families of 343 firefighters killed on 9/11 and 604 fire and EMS personnel who have died of Ground-Zero-linked illness.
The FDNY’s Memorial Service on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 is on deck at a Staten Island ballpark.
The department is set to hold its annual service for the families of 343 firefighters killed in the 9/11 attacks and 604 who have succumbed to World Trade Center-linked illness on Wednesday, Sept. 9 (rain date Sept. 10) at FerryHawks Stadium, home to an independent professional baseball team.
The outer-borough location does not hit a home run for all. Some FDNY members grumble that Staten Island is too far from Ground Zero, a hassle to reach, and lacking the gravitas the occasion merits.
The FDNY held prior memorial services at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, but this year deemed it too small because many more 9/11 firefighters and EMS workers have been dying of cancer and other diseases triggered by their search and rescue work at the toxic WTC site.
Some 2,000 guests have confirmed attendance so far, but many more are eligible. Each of the 947 FDNY families can bring as many guests as they want. In addition, all active and retired FDNY members can attend in formal uniform. With seats on the field, FerryHawks stadium can hold up to 7,500 people.
So, why not hold the event at more prestigious Madison Square Garden or Barclays Center?
“They can bend over backwards for Taylor Swift, but we get put in an outdoor minor league baseball stadium!” a firefighter complained.
“Staten Island doesn’t have the proper indoor venue worthy of such an important ceremony. All of our 9/11 and post-9/11 families deserved the best venue possible,” another said.
However, cost was a major factor. MSG and Barclays each told the FDNY they would charge about $400,000 to use those arenas, officials said. Reps for the Manhattan and Brooklyn venues did not return requests for comment.
Family members of 343 firefighters killed on 9/11 and 604 FDNY members who have died from Ground-Zero linked disease are invited along with their guests.
Billionaire businessman John Catsimatides, who owns the FerryHawks baseball team, donated the stadium free of charge.
The FDNY did not set aside funds for the memorial. Instead, the department received $408,000 in City Council funds, thanks to Queens Council member Joann Ariola, who told me she diverted a grant unused by a volunteer fire and ambulance company.
“It was important to me and our public safety committee to make sure that all the planned 9/11 memorial services would happen,” she said, adding her approval of the Staten Island site: “This location has a view where everyone can see the Freedom Tower.”
While FerryHawks will not charge a rental fee, major expenses include the hiring of a production company, Pro Sho Sound Services, to install the stage along with audio/video equipment. Retired Fire Lt. John Leary III, a Staten Island-based events producer, is a subcontractor, officials confirmed.
Other costs include box lunches with sandwiches from a local deli, chips and water bottles for family members and their guests; several FerryHawks employees to serve food and provide security; flowers, and decorations including banners and a red carpet with the FDNY logo, officials said.
Excess costs will be covered by the FDNY Foundation, the fire department’s non-profit arm, which collects donations.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani was scheduled to lead the speeches at FerryHawks, but this week decided to simply sit near the stage. Mamdani did speak this week at an FDNY ceremony adding 36 names to a memorial wall honoring those who have died from 9/11-related illness.
That Mamdani will not address FerryHawks relieved FDNY brass and organizers who feared that audience members would boo or turn their backs on the Muslim mayor.
In July, some families started on online petition to oppose Mamdani’s planned appearance at the 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the WTC site on Sept. 11, citing his alleged affiliation with people accused of being anti-American, including his father. Mamdani says he will attend. No politicians will speak.
Speakers in Staten Island include FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore, Chief of Department John Esposito, and two FDNY chaplains. The FDNY choir will sing the National Anthem and America the Beautiful.
A video screen will display the name and photo of each of the 947 FDNY members who have perished.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke at an FDNY ceremony Sept. 3 honoring 36 additional firefighters and EMS personnel who have died of 9/11-linked illness, bringing the total to 604 — and counting. FDNY commissioner Lillian Bonsignore lowers her head at left.
A memorial wall at FDNY headquarters in downtown Brooklyn.