21 Children of Fallen 9/11 First Responders Graduated As Probationary New York City Firefighters

(Getty Images | DOUG KANTER)

Eighteen years after the devastating event that was 9/11 in Manhattan, 301 men and women graduated from the New York City Fire Department’s class of September 2019. Twenty-one among them are the sons and daughters of first responders who lost their lives while responding or as a direct result of illness relating to the attack.

Presiding over the ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, was Daniel A. Nigro, New York City’s Fire Department Commissioner. He commended the sons and daughters of fallen heroes:

“Many of their fathers were killed on September 11, several others died of World Trade Center illnesses, and others lost their lives in the course of their duty, bravely working to save and protect others,” per news release by the New York City Fire Department.

Two of the graduates, Rebecca and Marc Asaro, are joining their brothers Mathew and Carl in the FDNY. The four’s father, Carl Asaro, lost his life in the line of duty at the age of 39. “I kept asking my mom when my father was coming home. She didn’t have an answer,” Rebecca recalls, per CBS News.

“My father gave his life for this job, you know. And so many other people did,” Marc explains. “And it’s just, it’s a very rewarding job.”

“It is an amazing experience, to be able to do the same thing that my father had done, and had given his life for. It’s more incredible that my sister and I are doing it together. It’s a proud feeling. My sister and I push each other to be better every day.”

Another pair of brothers that graduated in the September 2019 ceremony are Anthony and Leonard Jr. Ragaglia, whose father Leonard died at the age of 36. He was stationed in Engine 54 in Manhattan when he died, and Leonard Jr. is to join the same unit.

“Hearing all the great stories about the stuff he did when he was a firefighter, all the people he’s helped, the great friends he’s made. It’s just very exciting to start that ourselves,” Leonard Jr. explained, per New York Post.

Brendan Regan, son of Lt. Robert Regan, told the New York Post that his father wasn’t far from his thoughts during the graduation ceremony. “Of course I miss my dad all the time but I know he'd be happy for me,” Brendan explained. “I think my dad just set the bar high. The things he did that day, he was just going to work that day. I’m just trying to do the same things on this job.”

Policemen and firemen run away from the huge dust cloud caused as the World Trade Center's Tower One collapses after terrorists crashed two hijacked planes into the twin towers, Sept. 11, 2001, in New York City. (©Getty Images | Jose Jimenez/Primera Hora)

Thirteen of the graduates had fathers who died in the line of duty during the horrific attack 18 years ago. Twenty-one in total lost parents, including from illnesses caused by responding to 9/11. While dozens of sons and daughters have followed in the footsteps of their fallen fathers and mothers, 2019 marks the largest number of “legacy” probationary firefighter graduates.

“Today, these 21 legacies are no longer children dreaming of the careers their fathers loved, and of serving in the world’s greatest fire department—today, they have fully achieved their dreams,” Nigro concluded, per the news release.