American Legion Honors 9/11 Responders

American Legion Frank Patterson Post 43 of Florham Park and Madison held a ceremony Tuesday evening to honor the 9/11 first responders who entered burning buildings and walked into clouds of cancer-causing dust at ground zero to rescue or recover victims.

Speeches, the lighting of candles, the playing of taps and the singing of "God Bless America" marked the commemoration. About 50 residents, Florham Park and Madison officials and American Legion members attended the ceremony.

"Besides our military, they deserve a nation's gratitude for their selfless devotion and heroic efforts," Commander Bob Holtz said.

More than 400 first responders were among the nearly 3,000 people who died in the attack, Holtz said.