Permanent Memorials: Tattoos Honoring Victims

Tattoos Honoring Victims
By MICHELE McPHEE - NY Daily News Staff Writer

Firefighter Kenny Giannelli's broad back has become a mural of mourning, featuring a fireman with his head in his hands, flanked by two angels in front of the rickety skeleton of 2 World Trade Center.

His colleague at Brooklyn's Engine 236, Firefighter Steve Razickas, has a tattoo of the twin towers topped by the words, "Always Honored, Never Forgotten," on his left shoulder.

Staten Island cop Joe Cammaratta's back is etched with a portrait of his brother Michael, one of the 343 firefighters killed Sept. 11.

The arms, chests and backs of scores of New York's Finest and Bravest have become permanent memorials to their lost colleagues — giving them a way to silently wear their grief.

"For me, the tattoo symbolizes how our fallen men are watching over us, like angels at our side," Giannelli, a 23-year FDNY veteran, said yesterday.

"We will never forget, but there is no more permanent memorial to our brothers than a tattoo that will stay on your skin for a lifetime," said Giannelli, who has begun collecting photographs of firefighters' tattoos.

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