UPDATE: The FDNY has just unveiled a significant year-long plan to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, including a powerful film about FDNY Chaplain Father Mychal Judge, the first recorded victim of that tragic day. Outgoing Commissioner Robert Tucker made this announcement at a press conference held earlier today at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park.
This initiative includes a major ceremony scheduled for September 9, 2026, and aims to honor the memory of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Tucker emphasized that this plan serves to fulfill a crucial promise: “These initiatives help ensure we make good on our promise to always remember those who made the supreme sacrifice.”
In addition to the film, the FDNY will launch a commemorative podcast series and a ceremonial patch available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the FDNY Foundation. These projects aim to engage the community in remembering the heroes of 9/11 and the ongoing impact of the tragedy.
Tucker also revealed that a health report concerning the long-term effects of the attacks will be released in anticipation of the anniversary. “We are committed to getting this right,” he stated. “We will handle this commemoration with respect, solemnity, honor, and all that it deserves.”
Father Judge, who tragically died when debris struck him during the collapse of the South Tower just before 10 a.m. on September 11, is a poignant figure in this remembrance. His legacy of kindness and service continues to resonate within the FDNY. “The film is about how we choose to remember those we’ve lost and how we make good on our promise of never forgetting,” Tucker added.
As the 25th anniversary approaches, more details regarding the commemorative events and initiatives will emerge. The FDNY is determined to ensure that the sacrifices made on that day are honored and remembered in a meaningful way.
This announcement marks a critical moment for the FDNY and the families affected by the tragedy, as the department prepares to engage the public in a year-long remembrance that acknowledges both the immediate losses and the ongoing health impacts faced by first responders.
Stay tuned for further updates as the FDNY continues to finalize plans for what promises to be a deeply impactful commemoration of one of America’s most significant historical events.
