The firehouse that suffered the most casualties on 9/11 holds its own commemoration each year on the anniversary. NY1's Angi Gonzalez takes us to the ceremony that family, friends and other firefighters say helps them cope with the tragedy.
Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9 lost everyone on duty the morning of September 11th, 2001.
Fifteen men left the firehouse that Tuesday to save lives at the World Trade Center, only to lose their own.
"They were special very special as you can see the pride of Midtown never missed a performance," said Gloria Addamo, who attended the ceremony.
As the firehouse that suffered the greatest loss, it holds a special ceremony each year, just around the corner in a park on West 48th Street.
Attended by more than 150 people Monday, this commemoration is more intimate than the big memorial held at the same time in lower Manhattan.
Maureen Santora, who lost her Firefighter son, says she couldn't imagine being anywhere else.
"You feel very comforted here," said Santora. "More comfortable than being in the large group"
Family members individually honored their loved ones with a flower placed atop a stone fountain etched with the names of all 15 lives lost.
Among them was Captain David Wooley.
His son David says the annual memorial provides these families that have shared so much pain and a sense of comfort.
"You still see the same families, people with little kids that are older now so you get to see the growth and a new generation," Wooley said.
Those from the firehouse still on the job — now 16 years later — say in that time they've been lucky by avoiding further loss to 9/11 related illnesses
They have also added new members, some with existing connections to this brotherhood.
"We have a lot of legacies coming on the job that lost their brothers or their fathers on September 11th and they are actually on the job now," said firefighter John Fila.
Firefighters who are now learning traditions, ensuring that those who died, will not be forgotten.