“Twenty-three years on, as the brutal attacks of 9/11 slowly fade from memory to history, I still deeply believe: ‘We don't live in America ... America lives in us.’” — columnist Shelly Palmer.

Written by Palmer, while remembering the neighborhood heroes from FDNY Engine Co. 16 Ladder 7 who, like so many other brave first responders, rushed to protect those impacted and never came home.