By Jessica Easthope
Members of the NYPD gathered over the weekend to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001. 23 officers died that day, but many more have died since due to 9/11 related illnesses.
NYPD Chaplain Monsignor Robert Romano recognized them during mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe church in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.
Family members of officers killed in the terrorist attacks sat with department officials who recognized their service and sacrifice.
“When we say we never forget we really mean it and this is part of that continuance where we get together, we honor those who have fallen, we honor their sacrifice and we keep their memory alive,” said NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea.
“9/11 is still a part of us, I buried a police officer only last week, he died of 9/11 disease and we have several other people in the hospital, who are battling 9/11 diseases every day,” said Monsignor Robert Romano the NYPD’s Assistant Chief Chaplain.
More than 200 NYPD officers have died of 9/11 related illnesses.