MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade Fire Rescue dedicated one of its fire trucks Friday to the New York City firefighters who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Engine Co. 3 was dedicated as a tribute to show its support for the Fire Department City of New York on June 28, 2002.
On Friday, the firehouse unveiled one of its trucks which was outfitted with a white over red paint scheme to resemble the FDNY's apparatus, complete with a display of the American flag, New York City skyline and the Statue of Liberty.
The truck, a 2015 Rosenbauer Commander Pumper, also displays "Never Forget" on the back of the truck and lists the names of all 343 firefighters who died on 9/11.
Miami-Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey was among the rescue crews from South Florida to go to New York immediately after the attacks.
"I've been involved in search and rescues for over 20 years. I've been all over the world. This one to me was personal," Downey said.
A New York City firefighter who lost fellow comrades that day also attended Friday's ceremony at Tropical Park, recalling the emotions of that unforgettable day.
"The thing I remember the most, by far, is late that night sitting with the guys we had left and praying the sun came up the next day," he said.
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One World Trade Center is officially open for business. Take a look at New York's World Trade Center site before and after the Sept. 11 attacks.