It’s the largest group of legacies in department history.
An additional six academy graduates are the sons of FDNY and NYPD responders who died of 9/11-related illness.
Fire Commissioner Dan Nigro said “they are honoring their fallen loved ones. They are continuing their family’s legacy of service and they are making all of us immensely proud." He added,“these legacies are no longer children dreaming of the careers their fathers loved and of serving in the world’s greatest fire department. Today, they fully achieved their dreams."
“Brothers Leonard Jr. and Anthony Ragaglia graduated Tuesday after their father Leonard died in the terror attack. Leonard Jr. calls his new role 'a dream come true', adding: 'I've always wanted to be a Firefighter. I've always wanted to be like my dad and follow in his footsteps. I always hung around the firehouse as a kid and put his gear on. As the years went on, joining FDNY became something that I wanted to do more and more. I'm ready for this. It means so much, words can't describe it.”
Siblings Rebecca and Marc Asaro are following in the footsteps of their firefighter father Carl. Rebecca says “every day that I came to the academy, I was grateful to be there and to follow in the footsteps of my father, brothers, uncle, and all those who came before. This is exactly where I want to be.”