WATCH: Mayor Murphy Welcomes New York Firefighters to 9/11 Memorial in Waterford

Waterford Mayor, Councillor Jason Murphy welcomed firefighters from New York and across Ireland to Waterford’s 9/11 monument to join them in paying tribute to their comrades who died 23 years ago as a result of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre.

The Americans arrived in Waterford as part of a charity cycle they carry out each year but this was the first time they carried out the cycle outside of America.

Mayor Murphy was present at the 9/11 monument, and reflecting on the ceremony he said: “It’s a huge honour for me to be here today to meet the lads as they continue on their cycle. It’s an honour for Waterford to have them here too. You can see what it means to everyone, particularly here at this very poignant piece of metal that actually comes from the Twin Towers.”

“We all remember where we were that September day,” the Mayor said. 

“More than 350 firefighters lost their lives that day," he added, before commenting: "You really appreciate the emergency services, especially when you see them running into the danger that day, running into the debris and the crumbling towers. As everyone else is running the other way, they were running into it. All emergency services across the world, particularly in Waterford have an affinity with that.” 

He praised Waterford’s firefighters, and the Irish firefighters who also were taking part in the charity cycle: “We all value our emergency services and it was great to see our own firefighters here today. When they get up and get on their shifts, they don’t know what’s on their plate that day. They could be giving their life that day for other people. That’s what they signed up for.” 

The cross-country cycle is aimed at raising money for the Friends of Firefighters of New York, a New York-based non-profit, as well as Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, a charity providing support for children suffering from cancer in Ireland.

Speaking to Waterford News & Star, Nancy Carbone, the Founder and Executive Director of Friends of Firefighters said that the ceremony was “extraordinary” and “painful”.

She said that the annual charity cycle is a great way for those affected by the attacks to cope with the events they face.

“The firefighters themselves have made friendships that they’ll have for the rest of their lives, and it helps them to move forward," she said.

"I don’t like the word healing,” she said, “because I feel when we use that word it means it never happened, like they’ll be whole again. We won’t be whole again, but with the new friendships that we have, we can find a new normal, and that’s what we’ve done.” 

“The sculpture to me symbolizes the struggle,” she said, referring to Waterford’s memorial. 

“We lost 343 firefighters on that day, we lost over 370 since then to 9/11 cancer, so this bike ride is to bring awareness to mental health, counselling and suicide prevention.” 

The Friends of Firefighters charity provides independent, confidential, and free mental health counselling and wellness services to active and retired FDNY firefighters and their family members.

“We started Friends of Firefighters, to help firefighters in a confidential setting, at no cost, for firefighters and their families. We’ve been very successful. It’s been an honour to do that work and we’re so honoured to be here in Waterford."