In memory of the firefighters who died in 9-11, a memorial garden in Kinshasa, Co Cork, where 343 trees were planted, was visited by relatives who had lost their lives in recent years, some of whom chose to scatter ashes on a security grove.
In Ringfinina Memorial Garden, each tree is marked with a small white sign with the name of the firefighter and a small American flag.
Virgil Horgan, Kathleen Kite Murphy, the late cousin of the deceased. In 2002, while working as a nurse at Nonox Hill Hospital, he established the garden.
“Father Judge’s parents were born in County Liturgy, and they grew up in New York and later joined the priesthood.
When the North Tower was hit by a plane, fire services were called and the judge rushed to the scene as usual. He was there to support the fire brigade.
“He was in charge of the final service for the firefighters at the Twin Towers, where he died of a heart attack. There is a photograph taken of Abba Judge’s place.
Mr. Horgan said that most of the New York firefighters who died on September 11, 2001, were Irish.
“On March 17, 2001, the same firefighters marched on St. Patrick’s Day on 5th Street. The planes were set up at North Tower and first from Riffinina, Kinshasa, and Cork. None of the firefighters at Lenox Hospital came to the hospital. On that fateful day, 343 died in a fire at the World Trade Center.
My cousin set up a garden in Kinshasa Memorial.
“They had no tombs. The attack on New York had a devastating effect on everyone in the city at the time. New York residents listened for days, months and even years.
A few weeks after the attack, Mr. Horgan called Kathleen and said that in honor of the firefighters, she wanted to plant 343 trees in Kinshasa’s Brenfinina along with her home garden.
“She wanted to plant a special ash tree in memory of Father Michael, and she wanted each fireman’s name on a special tree. Approximately 50 trees were planted in October 2001 and at that time there was a small opening. The remaining trees were planted in early March 2002 and officially opened by then-Minister of Agriculture Joe Walsh.
“At the time, there were very strong relations between Ireland and the United States, and about 40 million people said they were Irish or Irish,” he said. He also stated that we were the only country in New York to have a day of national mourning one day after the 9/11 attacks. The ceremony was attended by the grandparents of one of the firefighters, uncles and aunts of other firefighters, and relatives and friends of other firefighters.
Since its opening, the Memorial Garden has been visited by many, including the families of firefighters with their names engraved on it.
Rozalen Talon’s brother, Shawn Patrick Talon (26), was an experimental firefighter at the Stage 10 ‚fire station directly across from the World Trade Center. He was one of the 9-11 respondents.
“Shawn was highly regarded by his mother in Cork, Kinshasa, on the Ringfinina Tree. Shawn loved to visit his family in Bush, and he was proud that Reuben’s blood was in his veins.
“We appreciate the love and compassion of my mother, Kathleen Murphy, who inspired us to create a memorial paradise, and the love and commitment of those who will continue to cultivate the garden. When we go on vacation, we visit the garden every year and it always gives us comfort.
In the meantime, there will be a memorial service at 2:00 pm in the garden. Current US Embassy Representative, Secretary of State Simon Coveni, Councilor Gillian Coulan, Mayor of Cork County Council, Local TDs, Senators, and County Councilors;
Tenor Dan Twomey sings the American national anthem. Father Robert Yang Parish, priest of Kinshasa, and Rev. Peter Rutherford, Kensal Rector, bless the trees in the garden. The 9/11 Memorial Garden in Ringfinan Kinsal is open 365 days a year.
Mr. Horgan added that some of the firefighters had to travel to New York, especially from New York, because their loved ones had no graves.
“The names of their relatives are found in the tree. These firefighters have no graves. ”
The garden is home to a variety of Irish trees, including oak, ash, birch, crab apple, hawthorn, willow and scotch. Variety of trees means that the garden changes seasons and has color and life throughout the year.