Detail of the Sept.11th Firefighters' Memorial at Keyspan Park in Coney Island, July 2007

The Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance in KeySpan Park stands as a graceful and beautiful tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11th, 2001. A 30 x 12 foot granite wall, the Coney Island memorial contains the laser-engraved images of 137 firefighters, 11 NYC Police Officers and 7 Port Authority Officers. Touched by the magnitude of their sacrifice, Brooklyn-born and raised Sol Moglen conceived of the idea for a memorial commemorating the loss of Brooklyn Firefighters. He also recognized the particular despair of those families whose loved ones were never found. The Wall of Remembrance gives them a place to come to, where the Lost are honored and recognized. It is the images of the Lost which speak so eloquently, reminding us these are real people behind the names and numbers of September 11.

On the Wall, their portraits form a powerful, unforgettable testament to their courage. Shortly after September 11th, Sol Moglen presented his idea of a memorial wall to FDNY Chaplain Rabbi Joseph Potasnik , Over a third of the firefighters lost that day were from Brooklyn, and Brooklyn should honor them, he said. The Rabbi and many others agreed. Peter Kasten of New Hyde Park, L.I.-based U.S. Bronze Sign Co. along with Sol Moglen worked together to come up with the original design for the wall and what it would encompass. Everyone involved agreed that the images would be placed on the wall according to their companies. "They went in as a team, and we kept them as a team," said Moglen. Sol, along with Peter Kastan and dozens of other volunteers, began raising more than $140,000 needed for the wall. The project has special meaning for Kasten. "Firefighter Chris Pickford, who was killed on Sept. 11, was Kasten's best friend when he was growing up.

U.S. Bronze sculptor Jamie Lester sculpted the 6 foot high bronze relief of 2 firefighters holding the helmet of a lost firefighter. The sculpture forms the visual heart of the Wall, fully capturing the pain and the fortitude of the men. The Wall elicited an immediate and heartfelt response from everyone- Although initially conceived to honor those firefighters who worked in Brooklyn, people found the memorial so moving and powerful that plans were made to expand it. On November 16, 2003 the Foundation added firefighters who were born in Brooklyn, as well as NYPD and Port Authority officers. Today the Wall pays tribute to 137 firefighters, 11 NYC Police Officers and 7 Port Authority Officers from Brooklyn. The Wall is publicly accessible and is illuminated every evening until 11 p.m. all year round. No reservations or special admission is needed and there is no cost to visit.

KeySpan Park is the perfect setting for the Wall of Remembrance, Coney Island is a historic and beloved site along the ocean. Families come here for comfort, not for grief. To hear the sound of children laughing, feel the sun’s warmth and listen to the quiet voice of the ocean. The plans today are to expand the Wall again- this time to include all of the heroic firefighters, police and Port Authority officers who gave their lives on September 11th. It is a tribute to Sol Moglen’s vision and dedication that the Wall of Remembrance has become recognized as a truly fitting and meaningful memorial to these men and women.

Text from: www.brooklynwall.org/about.htm