Remembering A 9/11 Hero

As the 24th anniversary of September 11 approaches, the stories of the heroes we lost — and the families who continue to honor their legacies — remain as powerful as ever.

For Kristin Marino, her wedding day became a deeply emotional reminder of her father’s sacrifice and the brotherhood of the fire service that will never forget him.

Her father, Kenneth J. Marino, served as a firefighter with FDNY Rescue 1 for 20 years before he lost his life in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001.

Kenneth and ten fellow firefighters from Rescue 1 entered the North Tower to save those trapped inside. They were last seen near the 70th floor before the building collapsed. All eleven members of the unit made the ultimate sacrifice that day.

Firefighters Step In To Honor Kristin’s Father

When Kristin recently got married, her father could not be there — but his firehouse family made sure his presence was felt.

To her shock and gratitude, members of Rescue 1, both active and retired, arrived at her wedding with a firetruck to stand in for Kenneth.

Kristin shared her emotional reaction on TikTok, writing:

“My dad didn’t show up to my wedding because he was taken from us on September 11th… So look who did. New and retired firefighters from my dad’s firehouse, Rescue One. I finally understand why they say ‘It’s a brotherhood.’ I know my dad was smiling down, knowing that I was taken care of. Thank you for never forgetting FDNY.”

The moment left Kristin in tears, surrounded by the men who had served alongside her father, carrying forward his memory and legacy.

Who Was Kenneth J. Marino?

Kenneth J. Marino was just 40 years old when he died on September 11, 2001. His journey as a firefighter began as a volunteer at the age of 18, before spending more than a decade as a proud member of the FDNY.

His wife, Katrina, once wrote:

“He is our Hero, our Angel, and will always be our special guide through our lives. We will always miss him and know that he is with us, and watching over.”

Kristin, who was only three years old when her father was killed, explained in another video why she chose to marry in New York City:

“He was never found in the rubble, so whenever I’m in New York I know I’m in his city and he will be right there next to me at my wedding.”

A Legacy That Lives On

Stories like Kristin’s remind us that the legacy of September 11 heroes lives on not only in history, but in the hearts of the families they left behind.

For the Marino family, and for the firefighters of Rescue 1, it was a wedding day filled with love, remembrance, and proof that the FDNY brotherhood continues to stand strong.