A somber moment of remembrance and reflection at the New York City Fire Museum in Lower Manhattan.

“It is a true reminder to the living and the tangible proof that we never forget,” said one member of the FDNY.

A wreath laying ceremony commemorating the 343 members of the FDNY who perished on Sept. 11. Behind the wreath, a structure covered in black and white pictures of the brave men and women who fearlessly rushed into the Twin Towers as dust, debris, and heavy smoke engulfed the buildings.

“There are no words or prayers to mitigate the pain of families who lost loved ones,” Rabbi Joseph Potasnik said.

In the 21 years since the terror attacks, an additional 299 FDNY members have died from 9/11-related illnesses.

“The loss is very real every day,” FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said. “We’re losing people every week who participated in rescue and recovery, but we get through it together as we do great things in the fire department.”

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund provides money to those who suffered physical harm or have died because of the attacks.

Last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a package of bills into law meant to remove delays preventing victims and survivors from getting access to the fund.

“It’s really critical that we come together and recognize the sacrifices that individuals made,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said. “All these firefighters ran into those buildings while others were running out. They are true heroes.”

The Fire Museum is the first permanent space dedicated to the FDNY members who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks. Pictures from that day and the aftermath cover the walls of this old firehouse. Glass cases display items recovered from the rubble and debris of the Twin Towers.

“It’s an ongoing sacrifice, an ongoing trauma as well,” Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said. “It’s why this is still so much a part of their everyday life. A memory they don’t want to get beyond and can’t get beyond and the city shouldn’t either.”

Thirty-seven members of the FDNY have died of 9/11-related illnesses this year alone. That number is expected to continue to climb and surpass the number of those who died on Sept. 11.