Public Employee Press

Union remembers victims of 9/11

At noon Sept. 11, outside the main entrance to union headquarters and one block from where the Twin Towers once stood, Executive Director Lillian Roberts led a memorial ceremony for DC 37’s victims of the 9/11 tragedy.

Under sodden skies, she addressed a hushed gathering of union leaders and activists.
“All of us remember where we were six years ago,” said Roberts. She pointed to the wreath the union places each year beside the plaque on the building’s front entrance that honors the members who perished in the World Trade Center collapse.

The standing wreath bore a ribbon inscribed with the legend: “We’ll Never Forget.”

The DC 37 members named on the plaque are the Rev. Mychal F. Judge, Chaplain, Local 299; Carlos Lillo, Paramedic, Local 2057; OTB Betting Clerk Chet Louis, Local 2021; and Lt. Ricardo Quinn, Paramedic, Local 3621.

“Our members were among the many public employees who raced to help,” said Roberts. “Now, many others are ill and in need of assistance. So today, we remember those who died and we rededicate ourselves to helping those who are sick.”

Since 9/11, four more DC 37 members have died of health problems linked to exposure to the toxins of Ground Zero. Emergency Medical Technicians Tim Keller and Felix Hernandez and Paramedic Deborah Reeve, all of Local 2507, and Radio Repair Mechanic Glenford Pennington of Local 1087 have been added to the litany of the deceased.