9/11 Rescue and Recovery Workers Are Honored at Memorial Museum

Dozens of participants take part in a ceremony at the Last Column. Some of them are playing blue ribbons on a railing surrounding the column.
Ceremony participants near the Last Column

In recognition of the 14th anniversary of the formal end of recovery operations at the World Trade Center, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum held a special tribute to honor the men and women of the nine-month rescue and recovery effort.

The ceremony took place yesterday near the Last Column, the final steel beam ceremonially removed from the World Trade Center site when recovery operations ended. Culminating in a moment of silence to remember those who have succumbed to 9/11-related illnesses, the event concluded with participants tying ribbons at the base of the Last Column.

“Despite dreadful conditions and the sometimes destructive toll on their physical and mental health, these dedicated men and women came together to help search, clean up and start the process of recovery,” 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels said. “Hour after hour, day after day, year after year, they paved the way for New York City, and the nation, to get back on its feet, to rebuild, and most importantly, to heal.”

Museum officials also announced the recent donations of three artifacts related to recovery operations and stories of workers who became ill or died from exposure to Ground Zero toxins. The artifacts are a red bomber jacket worn by 9/11-health advocate John Feal, a key to the city presented to retired New York firefighter Ray Pfeifer and two challenge coins in honor of Ronald Cohen, who died of brain cancer after leading various rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero.

Learn more about the artifacts here. For more information about the week of dedicated programs and commemorative activities visit 911memorial.org.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                By 9/11 Memorial Staff 

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