Photo credit: 9/11 Memorial staff
Accession Number: C.2020.72.2
Dimensions: 4.5 in X 2.5 in
Dimensions (Metric): 11.43 cm X 6.35 cm
Credit Line: Gift of Bridget Gormley
Description
Prayer card created in memory of William J. Gormley. The front of the card includes a photograph of Gormley wearing his fire helmet. On the back of the card is printed text: "In Loving Memory of | William J. Gormley | May 25, 1964 | June 14, 2017," followed by a prayer.
Historical Notes
On June 14, 2017, 53-year old William John Gormley, a retired New York City firefighter who participated in the rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero, died of lung and bladder cancer traced to toxins prevalent at the WTC site. He left behind a wife and four children, including daughter, Bridget who became an advocate for 9/11 related health effects.
Gormley is representative of hundreds of uniformed first responders who participated in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site who, after a period of latency, developed debilitating illnesses and cancers tied to toxic exposures. Like Gormley, many have succumbed to these conditions.