Another 9-11 Firefighter Is Laid To Rest

So many people gave of themselves in the days and months after the day the world stood still. So many of them have been affected health wise because of the aftermath of 9-11. We bow our heads in prayer for another brave first responder who gave the ultimate.

I shared with you recently the news of an additional remembrance coming to Ground Zero.

The selflessness of the men and women, who ran into the burning Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on that fateful day, to rescue people made our hearts stop.

The men and women who worked tirelessly afterwards, sifting through the debris searching for survivors, and afterwards, remains, was awe inspiring.

Sadly, for so many, that act was the ultimate sacrifice. One, of many, is being laid to rest today.

In a story from pix11.com, a funeral is set for today on Long Island for an FDNY firefighter who died of cancer linked to the cleanup at Ground Zero. Ray Pfeifer spent eight months digging through, what we came to realize was the toxic pit of the Twin Towers, searching for remains. He contracted cancer and passed away on May 28, 2017. Pfeifer was 59.

If you are not familiar with it, the act known as the  James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act, was passed in 2010.

Ray Pfeifer gained nationwide attention when he lobbied Congress, Citizens for the Extension of the Zadroga Act, that provides healthcare benefits for 9-11 first responders.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's World Trade Center Health Program, is dedicated to providing medical monitoring and treatment for responders at the World Trade Center and related sites in New York City, Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA, and survivors who were in the New York City disaster area. John Howard, M.D. is the Administrator of the program, and as you can read in his report from 2016, the numbers are staggering.

We will never know the depth of what any of these first responders endured, but we owe them a debt of gratitude, and all the help we can. Rest in Peace Ray Pfeifer, and all those that came before you, and will surely come after.