Local Neighbors Honor Local 9/11 Victims in Queens

Neighbors in New York’s Queens borough came together on June 20 to memorialize three residents who were killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center. The neighborhood service also included the unveiling and dedication of a Fallen Heroes Mural depicting the faces of the three men over the original World Trade Center buildings and a waving American flag. Government workers, police officers, firefighters and a motorcycle club were also in attendance.

The project was designed by professionals, but was painted and paid for by local community members. The mural was placed on the façade of a local delicatessen, Nick’s Deli, at the corner of 78^th St. and 25^th Ave. The owners of the business allowed the community to paint over the entire outside wall of their building.

Donna Raymond of the Northern Queens Homeowners Association was given credit for raising the majority of funds needed for the project. The unveiling of the mural comes about 14 years after 9/11, but residents stated that the time lapse did not dilute emotions surrounding the community’s loss on that fateful day.

During the dedication, the community and family members of those who had passed noted that the mural brought honor to the memory of their loved ones. Victims of the events in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania were all remembered in the speeches of attendees.

The faces of the men in the mural are those of Marcello Matricciano, Edward Lehman and James Cartier, who all worked inside the World Trade Center buildings. Matricciano’s mother, Mariella, noted that when she walks by the mural, she would remember good times spent with her son.

If you are dealing with health complications due to your work on and immediately after 9/11, you may be eligible to receive benefits to cover medical care. To learn more, consult a knowledgeable New York City personal injury attorney at Barasch & McGarry