Sept. 11, 2002 Photo Gallery

        To firefighters, empty boots stand for death.

        Tuesday night, Cincinnati firefighters lined their downtown memorial site with 343 pairs of empty black fire boots as a stark reminder of their fallen New York City colleagues. Each stood next to a lit candle and a white cross, all in preparation for a Wednesday remembrance ceremony.

        The memorial had to be watched overnight, to make sure the candles stayed lit and boots stood tall. Firefighter Mark Reuss, a member of the bomb unit, got the 2 a.m. shift.

Julia Leftwich of Kings Mills pays her respects to the 343 New York firefighters killed at Ground Zero. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        The veteran firefighter thought it would be a quiet time. Surprisingly, a trickle of people came by during his two hours there. Maybe just one or two at a time, but always somebody. A man in a street sweeper pulled up, parked and came over to speak to the firefighters.

        “He told us thanks,” Mr. Reuss said.

        Wednesday's ceremony was designed with the pride that comes from being members of the nation's first professional fire department, founded 149 years ago.

        Firefighters read the 343 names, ringing a bell between each. Nicholas Rossomando. Robert Lane. Anthony Rodriguez.

        Firefighter Mark Greene prayed for mercy on the 343 souls, care for their loved ones and protection for firefighters.

        The ceremony attracted about 250 people. A Mercy Health Partners worker in blue scrubs. Children in tiny firefighter T-shirts. Motorcycle riders in leather vests.

        Fire Chief Robert Wright tried to explain to the audience why the New York firefighters' deaths resonated so.

        “Firefighters became keenly aware,” he said, “that we are not invincible.”

— Jane Prendergast

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