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Rescue And Recovery Workers Honored At 9/11 Museum, 13 Years After Efforts Ended

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A special day in the cleanup of Ground Zero has been remembered at the National September 11 Memorial Museum.

As WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported, the ceremony honored those who came to help after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The formal recovery efforts officially ended 13 years ago Thursday, on May 28, 2002.

Rescue And Recovery Workers Honored At 9/11 Museum, 13 Years After Efforts Ended

"It was surreal," said retired firefighter Scott Lane. "It didn't seem like it was happening."

Lane was at ground zero on and off from the beginning of the cleanup to the end.

"I can remember almost minute for minute what I did that day, and probably weeks after that," Lane said.

Joe Daniels, president of the 9/11 Museum, said the tribute is important.

"Their story deserves to be honored," he said.

A ceremony was held Thursday honoring the workers, along with a moment of silence for those who lost their lives as a result of 9/11-related illnesses.

Recovery workers also tied blue ribbons in commemoration.

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