The PEF members who died were among some 300 PEF members who worked for New York state’s Department of Tax and Finance, the Department of Transportation and the National Development and Research Institute at the complex. “The terrible events of Sept. 11 brought out the best in our members in their courage and their service to the people of New York,” said PEF president and AFT vice president Kenneth Brynien.

“Our members responded to the attack with selflessness, courage and valor. On that day, many of our members continued working in whatever capacity they could, helping to evacuate the towers, working in rescue operations and ensuring the vital services our members provide to the citizens of New York were not interrupted.”

PEF cultivated the garden and erected a seven-foot granite monument in 2002 as a tribute to members who have been killed in the line of duty since PEF became a union in 1978.

“We must continue building on the unity forged in the fires of Sept. 11, working together to improve the lives of our members, whether through our political action, contract fightback or mobilization efforts,” Brynien said. “This is the best tribute we can make to our colleagues in recognition of the sacrifice they made.”

In New York City, United Federation of Teachers president and AFT vice president Randi Weingarten was among the invited guests for a Sept. 10 ceremony at Ground Zero. On the actual anniversary, Weingarten also visited two schools—the High School of Economics and Finance, and the Leadership and Public Service High School—that were located on Trinity Place near the twin towers. Weingarten chatted with staff at the two schools, which were both closed for months after the attacks.

In Washington, D.C., colleagues and students remembered three D.C. public school teachers who were among the passengers killed when American Airlines Flight 77 slammed into the Pentagon. The three teachers, all members of the Washington Teachers Union, were accompanying three schoolchildren as they headed to California on an educational trip.

On Sept. 10, students, parents and staff from the schools joined hundreds of family members of victims of the Pentagon attack in a memorial walk from the National Mall to the crash site at the Pentagon.

At Ketcham Elementary School in southeast Washington, D.C., teacher James Debeuneure and student Rodney Dickens, both of whom perished on the flight that crashed into the Pentagon, were remembered during an assembly on the district’s annual Day of Remembrance. “It’s critical that we never forget what happened to these members of our school’s family and that we both remember them and work toward teaching children to settle their disagreements peacefully,” says Ketcham principal Joyce Grimes.

The elementary school has established the Debeuneure-Dickens Resource Center to honor the teacher and student.

The AFL-CIO also paid tribute to more than 600 union members who died in the Sept. 11 attacks, including 300 firefighters and other emergency personnel.