9/11 Memorial Etched in Time

9/11 MEMORIAL ETCHED IN TIME
KIN HAIL FDNY'S 'PERFECT' TRIBUTE
By HEIDI SINGER

HEROISM WRIT LARGE: Loved ones yesterday rub onto paper the names of firefighters who died on 9/11 from the bas-relief memorial.

HEROISM WRIT LARGE: Loved ones yesterday rub onto paper the names of firefighters who died on 9/11 from the bas-relief memorial.Photo: Robert Miller

June 11, 2006 -- Solemn relatives of firefighters who died on 9/11 knelt quietly in front of their beautiful new memorial yesterday and took rubbings of their loved ones' names - names that were forged in fire and carved in timeless bronze to ensure they will never be forgotten.

"It's perfect," said Rosemarie Langone, who lost two brothers, of the monument at the "10 House" near Ground Zero. "No matter what they build [at Ground Zero], it's not going to mean as much. That's for everybody, this is for us."

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani spoke at the unveiling ceremony while President Bush, Gov. Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg sent prerecorded video messages. He later blasted city, state and federal officials for failing to build a memorial at Ground Zero nearly five years after the terrorist attacks.

"Forget about the buildings, the office space - that should all come second," he said. "The focus has to be on the memorial. Get it right. Future generations will respect us for that."

While politicians continue to dicker over the Ground Zero memorial, firefighters quietly built their own tribute to their 343 fallen brothers. Money was raised by law firm Holland & Knight, which lost one of its partners, volunteer firefighter Glenn Winuk, in the World Trade Center.
"There's been much discussion of a memorial to be built over this hole in the ground that still stands after five years," said FDNY Chief of Department Peter Hayden. "We've had empty promises from empty suits, but the Fire Department has filled its promise."

The plaque, possibly the largest bas-relief sculpture in the world, stands 6 feet high and runs 56 feet along the side of the Engine 10 and Ladder 10 firehouse at Greenwich and Liberty streets.

It depicts heroic firefighters responding to the burning towers.
"It's beautiful. I'm very happy with it," said a tearful Beatrice Miller, who lost her son Henry, of Ladder 105.

"I'm numb," she said of the memorial service and the memories it brought back. "Henry was too good for the world."

The plaque, and a separate tribute to Winuk, who grabbed equipment and ran from his nearby office to fight the flames, will be lit from above at night.

"When you come here, you're going to be sad and overwhelmed with grief," Giuliani told the crowd. "But you're going to leave strengthened by these 343 men."