9/11 tribute in Massapequa Park is personal for FDNY firefighter

News 12's Thema Ponton spoke to current and retired FDNY firefighters on 9/11 about paying tribute and helping others

Thema Ponton

Sep 12, 2024, 2:51 AM

Updated 31 days ago

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A tribute in lights high above Massapequa Park sits in front of the home of an FDNY firefighter who knows all too well about the cost of the Sept 11 terror attacks.
Christopher Howard's father, George, was a Port Authority police officer, who died on 9/11, and Howard is also president of The Ray Pfeifer Foundation, which helps 9/11 first responders and others who are battling illness and can't get their medical costs covered by insurance.
The tribute includes 407 wooden crosses, for all the first responders who died on 9/11 and a light tribute that can be seen for miles.
News 12 also spoke with retired FDNY Lt. Michael O'Connell, who works the The Feal Good Foundation about the increase in the number of people he's hearing from who lived and worked near ground zero who may now be developing health problems all these years later.