Still Riding: Remembering Squad 288 & HazMat 1 | September 11, 2001

On September 11, 2001, the members of FDNY Squad 288 and HazMat Company 1 responded to the World Trade Center.Nineteen of them never returned to their firehouse.In this special episode of They Were Here: Lessons From Their Lives, Danielle Phillips sits down with retired FDNY firefighter and Laughter Saves Lives founder John Larocchia to remember the men behind the names—the friends, brothers, firefighters, husbands, fathers, and personalities whose lives were so much bigger than the way they died.John shares his memories of September 11, the brothers he lost from his firehouse, and his best friend, Tom Gardner. He also reflects on the grief that followed and the ways he has carried their memories forward in the years since.At the firehouse, their assignment board from September 11 still bears the names and assignments from that morning.Above it are three simple words:DO NOT ERASE.Twenty-five years later, we haven't.This episode is dedicated to the members of Squad 288 and HazMat 1 who were lost on September 11, 2001, to all those whose lives were taken that day, and to the first responders who ran toward danger to save others.They were here. They mattered. And they are still riding.To learn more about They Were Here: Lessons From Their Lives, share the legacy of someone you love, or support our nonprofit's work preserving stories for future generations, visit our website.Please like, subscribe, and share this episode so these stories—and these men—continue to be remembered.#September11 #NeverForget #FDNY #Squad288 #HazMat1 #StillRiding #911Memorial #TheyWereHere #FirstResponders #Legacy #Grief #RememberTheirNames