The FDNY firefighter who was inducted Wednesday as part of the new recruits is a legacy of 9/11 and will serve at the same Queens Fire Department where his late father began his career.
Henry Hinton, 35, whose namesake father died of cancer related to rescue efforts at Ground Zero, was among 298 apprentice firefighters graduating from the FDNY Academy on Wednesday.
“Today is a big day for our family, not just for me, but for everyone,” Hinton, a South Hempstead resident, told the Post after the ceremony at the Christian Cultural Center’s Brooklyn campus. .
“It’s a great day, but it’s also a sad day. I wish Dad was here.”
Although Hinton retired just weeks before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, his father, FDNY Lt. Henry Hinton, still rushed to the World Trade Center shortly after to help with search and rescue efforts. said.
Hinton, who lost her father to the disease three years ago, will now follow in his footsteps.
“I go to Engine 275, the fire station where he worked. I went there for the first time on Monday night and it was the same fire station, I still remember it and I’m so excited,” the recruit said. “Some people came up to me and said, ‘Hey, this looks familiar. Does your dad work here?’
“I feel good,” Hinton continued. “I wish he was here to see this. He’d probably be happier than me.”
Brian Sullivan also joined the ranks Wednesday, a legacy of 9/11.
His father, Lt. Christopher Sullivan, was last seen running up the stairs inside One World Trade to help those still trapped inside on 9/11. Ta.
“I feel like I accomplished a lifelong dream,” Sullivan said. “My family is so proud of me and excited to be on the field. It’s an honor to be a part of this department and carry on his legacy.”
Meanwhile, fellow graduate Jerome Ned Jr. also lost his father in a terrorist attack.
Her father, Jermon Ned, 33, was working as a chef at the Windows of the World in the North Tower when it collapsed.
“The firefighters went to that building to rescue him. The brave heroes who died in that building, I wanted to be like one of them,” said Ned, who lives in Brooklyn’s Marine Park. told the Post.
“That was the worst day of my life. When someone loses their home or family in a fire, it’s one of their worst days and I know how it feels, so I’m here for them. I want to be there.”
In addition to Ned and Hinton, the FDNY’s newest graduating class consists of 34 veterans and 10 women.
“I’m overwhelmed. I’m so happy to be here. I’ve been waiting my whole life to be here,” said Patrick Williamson, one of the veterans, who served 16 years in the Air National Guard. pointed out.
The military veteran said the defining moment for joining the FDNY was the loss of seven members of his unit during a 2018 deployment to Iraq, two of whom were New York firefighters. Ta.
“That’s when I decided I had to carry on their name and carry on the tradition of rescuing and helping people in need,” Williams said. “I thought about them all day. They will be in my heart forever.”
Unlike last week’s FDNY promotion ceremony, where New York State Attorney Letitia James was jeered by pro-Trump attendees, there were no boos from Wednesday’s graduating class.
“After rigorous training at the fire academy, our firefighters are ready to enter the fire department and begin rescuing New Yorkers,” said Fire Chief Laura Kavanagh.
“We continue to bring more women and people of color into our sector and prove that anyone who is dedicated to becoming a member of New York’s Bravest can do this work.”
