Nicole Doherty remembers the first words her father said to her after responding to the September 11th terror attacks.

“The first thing he said to me is, ‘I’m sorry, I can’t come home until I find all my friends,'” said Doherty whose father, Chief Nicholas Visconti, was on his way to work in Queens the morning of 9/11.

What You Need To Know

  • The Fire Department added 39 new names to the FDNY World Trade Center Memorial Wall this year

  • FDNY held a special ceremony to commemorate those who died from illnesses related to the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center

  • The FDNY has lost more than 400 members to 9/11-related illnesses

  • Also on Tuesday, there was a special preview of the “Tribute in Light” art installation in Lower Manhattan

She said that when he heard the news on the radio, he immediately drove to Lower Manhattan. Fellow FDNY members told Doherty her father saved their lives.

“He was the best and he loved our family so much, but the firemen were his second love and extended family and every single one of them were the best to him too,” said Doherty.

Nicholas Visconti was among the 39 new names added to the FDNY World Trade Center Memorial Wall this year. 

The Fire Department held a special ceremony to remember those who died from illnesses related to the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center.

“We need to humanize what happened those 24 years ago and don’t allow time to erode how significant it was. The countless number of men and women ran towards danger and we’re still losing their lives every day,” said Mayor Eric Adams.

The FDNY has lost more than 400 members to 9/11-related illnesses. Lori Cozzino, whose husband died from cancer one year ago, said the department has treated her like family in her time of need.

“To us, he was always just husband and dad and when we come here, we see that when he put that uniform on and went out into the city, he was so much more to so many people and it’s always so bittersweet and beautiful,” said Cozzino.

Hours later, there was a special preview of the “Tribute in Light” art installation in Lower Manhattan. 

The art installation, which features two soaring blue beams of light, is meant to represent the Twin Towers. Con Edison is the lead sponsor of the event, helping to make it possible every year. 

Officials from the 9/11 Memorial and Museum say that on a clear day, the lights shine four miles into the sky and can be seen from up to 60 miles away.

“9/11 changed the world. It changed the world for New Yorkers, for Americans and for people around the world. People from more than 90 countries were killed on that day. For everybody who had that experience, it’s an emotional pull that they feel when they see the tribute in light,” said Beth Hillman, the president and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

The Tribute in Light will go on Thursday, Sept. 11 at sunset and will stay lit until sunrise the following morning.