On August 27, 2025, a deeply emotional moment unfolded in New York City as Kristin Marino, a bride whose father, FDNY firefighter Kenneth Marino, was killed during the September 11, 2001 attacks, was honored by his former colleagues in a touching tribute on her wedding day. Reported by ABC News anchor David Muir on September 4, 2025, this poignant gesture by the FDNY’s Rescue Company 1 brought tears, pride, and a sense of closure to a day filled with love and remembrance.

Kristin, who was just three years old when her father perished in the collapse of the Twin Towers, chose to hold her wedding at Rockefeller Center’s 620 Loft & Garden to feel closer to him. Kenneth Marino, a dedicated firefighter with over 20 years of service at Rescue Co. 1 in Hell’s Kitchen, was remembered as a hero who saved lives, including one account of him pushing a man to safety in a stairwell while he continued to climb the North Tower to help others. His body was never recovered, but his legacy lived on through his family and the FDNY brotherhood.

On her wedding day, as Kristin stepped out of the Plaza Hotel in her wedding gown, she was greeted by an unforgettable sight: nine current and retired firefighters from her father’s unit, standing at attention in front of two firetrucks. Overwhelmed with emotion, Kristin wiped away tears as she embraced the firefighters, who had come to escort her to her wedding venue, symbolically standing in for her father. “It was truly surreal to walk out and see so many firefighters lined up in honor of my father,” Kristin shared with the New York Post from her honeymoon in Hawaii. “It felt as though my dad was right there with me, walking me down the aisle.”

The FDNY’s gesture was more than a tribute; it was a testament to the unbreakable bond within the department. Kristin’s mother, Katrina, and her brother, Tyler, were also visibly moved, with Katrina noting, “We kept trying to hold it together, but tears came in waves… It truly was symbolism of my dad walking me down the aisle.” The firefighters drove Kristin and her family to the venue, where she married musician Noah Schnacky, making the moment a viral sensation after Kristin shared a heartfelt TikTok video captioned, “My dad couldn’t show up to my wedding because he was taken from us on September 11th…so look who did… I finally understand why they say ‘It’s a brotherhood.’”

David Muir, in his World News Tonight segment, highlighted the emotional weight of the moment, noting how the FDNY’s act of love and loyalty brought Kenneth’s presence to his daughter’s special day. The story resonated deeply with viewers, many of whom shared their own connections to 9/11 heroes in the comments of Kristin’s viral video. One commenter wrote, “Your dad saved my dad’s life on 9/11. In the stairwell. He shoved my dad downstairs for his safety while he climbed the stairs to help,” while another shared, “In high school, we were assigned first responders who lost their lives on 9/11, and I had the honor of researching your dad.”

This heartfelt tribute, nearly 24 years after the tragedy of 9/11, underscores the enduring strength of the FDNY’s brotherhood and their commitment to honoring their fallen heroes. For Kristin, the presence of her father’s colleagues was a powerful reminder that his sacrifice and spirit continue to inspire. “Thank you for never forgetting FDNY,” she concluded in her post, a sentiment echoed by all who witnessed this unforgettable moment.