Westchester County added eight names to its 9/11 First Responders Memorial on Thursday, Sept. 10. Among them: Harrison Fire Department Firefighter Kenny Fusco, who died in May from illnesses tied to his work at Ground Zero.

The unveiling took place during the county's annual Interfaith Prayer Vigil at The Rising, the 9/11 memorial at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla. The ceremony opened two days of remembrance marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Fusco served the Harrison Fire Department for 45 years. He worked at Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001, and in the months that followed, breathing in toxic dust and debris during rescue and recovery efforts, according to the department.

He died May 18. The department recognized his death as a line-of-duty death.

Harrison Fire Department Chief John Masciola Jr. said in a May 18 statement that Fusco would be remembered for his bravery on Sept. 11, 2001, and for a lifetime of service and mentorship within the fire service.

As we reported Wednesday, the vigil was the first of two county ceremonies this week. The second, a memorial service, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla.

Seven other first responders were also added to the memorial: Albert A. Corelli of Local 3; Lt. Fran D'Angelo-Girolamo of the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps; Technician David R. Dlugin of Local 1101; Mechanic Tom Hanusik of the Village of Pelham; Detective Annmarie Smith of the NYPD; Firefighter Paul Sutorius of the Pelham Manor Fire Department; and Chief and Capt. Curtis L.

Taylor of the Pelham Fire Department and New Rochelle Fire Department. Each person honored on the memorial either lived, worked or volunteered in Westchester County.

County Executive Ken Jenkins said the new names reflect a toll that has not stopped. "As we unveil new names on our First Responders Memorial, we recommit to our promise that their sacrifice … will never be forgotten," Jenkins said at the vigil, according to a county press release.

The ceremony included a presentation of colors by the Westchester County Department of Public Safety Color Guard and a wreath-laying at a steel beam from the World Trade Center. Interfaith prayers were led by four faith leaders, including Imam Shaffieq Chace of the Westchester Muslim Center and Rabbi Lester Bronstein, rabbi emeritus of Bet Am Shalom Synagogue in White Plains.

Deputy County Executive Joan McDonald delivered closing remarks. Board of Legislators Chairman Vedat Gashi also spoke.

Memorial committee co-chair Matthew J. McCauley said 9/11-related illness deaths continue to rise and called on the county to ensure those lost are recognized for their sacrifices.