Just days from the fourth anniversary of 9/11, a new generation of heroes was ushered in yesterday, as relatives of six rescue workers killed in the terrorist attacks joined the ranks of the FDNY.
September 1, 2005 -- Just days from the fourth anniversary of 9/11, a new generation of heroes was ushered in yesterday, as relatives of six rescue workers killed in the terrorist attacks joined the ranks of the FDNY.
Among the graduates was class valedictorian Christopher Ganci, 29, whose father, Peter Ganci, was the chief of department on Sept. 11, 2001, and died leading the rescue effort at the World Trade Center. One classmate, Christopher Howard, 22, is the son of the late Port Authority Police Officer George Howard.
Days after the attacks, President Bush was presented with Howard's badge, "which the president still carries with him to this day," Mayor Bloomberg said.
Ganci and the younger Howard were sworn in as members of the Bravest at a graduation ceremony for 241 probationary firefighters at Brooklyn College.
"We are about to accept the most dangerous and demanding job in the world. I can just look at the empty seat next to my mother to remind me of this fact," Ganci said.
Pride was evident on Howard's face as he prepared to begin working at Ladder 165 in St. Albans.
"It was a very proud day," Howard said. "[My father] is always on my mind. I'm proud with all he did."
