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Mychal Judge's Helmet to Be Dedicated in Fire Museum 9/11 Ceremony

By Andrea Swalec | August 31, 2011 6:22pm
FDNY chaplain Mychal Judge, who died at age 68, was known for his compassion and humor.
FDNY chaplain Mychal Judge, who died at age 68, was known for his compassion and humor.
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Jose Jimenez/Getty Images

HUDSON SQUARE — FDNY Chaplain Mychal Judge captured the world's attention after 9/11 when a photo of his body being pulled from the World Trade Center circled the globe

Judge — a Roman Catholic priest and larger-than life personality who ministered to the poor and those with AIDS — became the first official casualty of the terrorist attacks and a symbol of the tragedy and sacrifice of that day.

Ten years later, the New York City Fire Museum in Hudson Square plans to honor Judge's memory by displaying the gear he was wearing when he died.

In a ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 1 p.m., the Fire Museum will honor the 343 members of the fire department who were killed in the attacks and dedicate Judge's helmet and coat, curator and director Damon Campagna said Wednesday. 

The museum recently acquired the items from Judge's sister, who had the helmet, and Engine 1/Ladder 24 on West 31st Street, which had the coat. 

"The FDNY was [Judge's] family. He really cared about the members he worked with, and they cared about them," Campagna said. "Members of the fire department really felt like [his helmet and coat] should be here."

Judge's items will be displayed in a case built by firefighters from Engine 73/Ladder 42 in the Bronx, where the chaplain presided over his last mass on Sept. 10, 2001.

The memorial service and dedication ceremony will be held in front of the Fire Museum, at 278 Spring St. Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano and Chief of Department Edward Kilduff are expected to attend, Campagna said. 

Spring Street, between Varick and Hudson streets, will be closed to traffic for the ceremony, according to Campagna.

The Fire Museum has fire department-related artifacts dating from the 18th century and is home to the first permanent memorial to fire department members killed on 9/11. 

The two-room Sept. 11 exhibition includes a Twin Tower-shaped black marble and tile memorial to firefighters killed, tools used in Ground Zero recovery efforts, newspaper coverage of the attacks, and a database on the firefighters who were killed.

The museum will have extended hours on Sept. 11, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m, so more people can see the exhibit.

"We want to make sure that people who want to pay their respects at the memorial will have a chance to," Campagna said.