To the family of FF John F. Heffernan of L-11

My name is Matt I am a fire fighter in Boulder Colorado. On September 11th in downtown Denver i participated in an event, the Denver stair climb (http://www.denverstairclimb.com/) to pay tribute to your son, brother... and to pay our respects to the family. The event consisted of 2 laps up one of the 55 floor skyscrapers in Denver, to equal the height of the towers.

We did the climb with full gear on and took up a 2.5 in high rise hose pack. The second trip up we went on air. The most important thing to go up with me was FF John Heffernan. I carried up a picture of him around my neck but in reality he was the one carrying me. He inspired me to push myself up the stairs and will continue to inspire me and "carry" me throughout my career.

I am forever grateful for FF Hefernan and he will never be forgotten. His picture hangs on my bedroom door handle and I see him when I start off and end my day which inspires me and keeps his legacy alive. My prayer, thoughts and heart goes out to you, the family I can not imagine what you have been through. I would love to get in contact with you feel free to reach me any way possible.

Posted by Matt Cokewell

It has been several years since I knew that someone with the same name as myself fell during the 9/11 tragedy. I decided to add my name to the tributes to FF John F. Heffernan. I wish strength to all of his family and friends. I want to say that his strength and scarifice have inspired me in times of hardship and I hope that this is of some comfort for those he left behind.

Published by John D. Heffernan

I just wanted to say it has been an honor to represent John in the 9/11 memorial stair climb the last 5 years.

Posted by Eric Boyd

I think of John quite often. Although I never got the chance to meet him, he was a friend of my late husband Artie Pavarini. Artie was a sincere man who never forgot to honor John as a hero. I have visited the 9/11 memorials in NY and in DC. I have taken the time to search for John's name in NY. We decided to get married on 9/10/2004 (a Friday) so that we could leave 9/11 as a day to honor John and all of those lost on that day. Your family continues to be in my thoughts and prayers. I know that John and Artie have found each other.

Posted by Kathleen