By Patrick Wall and Tom Liddy
DNAinfo Reporters
MANHATTAN — When the World Trade Center collapsed on 9/11, the FDNY lost 343 of its members.
Ten years later, the FDNY and firefighters from around the world gathered at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Saturday to their fellow Bravest who were killed in the terror attacks.
So many people descended on the Fifth Avenue house of worship for the afternoon service that the crowd spilled outside. Many watched the services on a jumbo tron.
"We don't forget and we still think about the guys we lost that day," said Lt. Jay Walsh of Engine 59, in Harlem.
"It's memories that are etched permanently in my mind, that are as clear today as they were that day.
"It's not something we need a refresher on from TV. We live with it everyday."
Among the officials on hand for the mass and service were Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
“New York City is lucky to have a group who overcomes their fear to serve others,” Bloomberg said.
During the ceremony, the names of each of the fallen was read aloud and their pictures projected on a screen.
Several member of victims families spoke as well, including Patrick Mate Lyons, who was born less than a month after his father, Lt. Patrick John Lyons of Squad 252, in Brooklyn died in the attacks.
"People tell me I walk like you and have your crazy sense of humor, too," the boy said. "I like when people compare me to you."
Outside the church, Firefighter Keith Newell of Ladder 21 in Hell's Kitchen said that recognition of the FDNY's sacrifice has dropped off somewhat over the years.
"People have to go on with their lives," said. "But people should recognize those sacrifices people gave 10 years ago."
Newell brought his son, Ryan, 10 and daughter, Kiley, 8.
"I'm wondering how kids my age feel who don't know their dads," said Ryan, who wants to become a firefighter. He told his mom that he would be wearing his own FDNY hat ten years from now.
"You get to help keep people safe."
The example of New York's Bravest was an example to more than just family members.
A half dozen Explorers, who train at the FDNY academy and do community service, were on hand to distribute rosaries wrapped in lace to the families of those who died.
"It's really sad that all the people have fallen — especially people that were probably really dedicated to their job," said Chelsea Berry, 18, of Canarsie, Brooklyn, who wants to become a fighter or EMT.
After the ceremony, the members processed out of the church with bagpipes playing and American flags flying. Several FDNY members snapped into a salute and wiped away tears. One woman climbed up onto a light pole to catch a glimpse.
Actor John Voight became close with a number of members of the FDNY after meeting them at an awards show in December 2001.
"I've been fortunate to get to know the first responders after 9/11. They're just tremendous," he said outside the cathedral. "God's energy was here in the form of these firemen who saved innocent people who were attacked.
"All of these guys who lost their lives were angels, I believe."
Mayor Giuliani, who saw the city through 9/11 said: "I'm here to honor the people that we lost — many of them that I knew so well. I'm thinking about how terrible it is that we're without them and about how much better off we'd be with them."
But he said that New York is resilient.
"I'm also thinking about how strong we are," he said. "That we got through the worst attack in our history, which I don't think people ever thought we would as quickly or as well. And the city is stronger today."
