Salute to the fallen

The probies (probationary firefighters)

FDNY Chaplain Rabbi Joseph Potasnik

Mayor De Blasio with the mother of a fallen firefighter

Today is the New York City Fire Department’s Memorial Day, held every year at the Firemens Monument on Riverside Drive to honor all firefighters who died during the previous year. This is entirely separate from the 9/11 ceremonies and has been held since early in the 20th century. The pride that these men and women feel in their calling is unequalled, and the debt that we owe them is beyond calculation.