Ramsey: "We Can Never, Ever Forget"

One by one they came up to receive their certificates. Some were in their everyday police blues and other donned their official military uniform.

They are from different districts in the city and served in different branches of the military but, according to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, something is the same about them -- they all went above and beyond the call of duty. 

"You took not just and oath to defend this great city of Philadelphia, but you took an oath to defend this country," Ramsey said to more than 100 police officers at the Constitution Center Friday. "You truly put yourself in harm's way and there is no greater sense of duty than that."

Ramsey and Mayor Michael Nutter honored Philadelphia Police officers who served in the military following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 at the ceremony as well as officers who responded to ground zero that day nearly a decade ago. 

"The role of the police officer has been redefined since then," Ramsey said. "We must protect the Constitutional rights, the basic rights of people in this country, that is what sets us apart, that is why we are fighting these wars."

In addition to remembrance and recognition, Nutter said the ceremony was also an opportunity for appreciation. 

"I encourage all Philadelphians, whether you know the person or not, to walk up to any person in a military uniform and thank them," he said. "Because I know I only get to enjoy my freedoms because of them."

And some of them paid the ultimate price including Gennaro Pellegrini, an officer in the city's 26th district who was killed in Iraq in 2005. 

Pellegrini, according to his Captain Louis Campione, fulfilled his goal of improving the lives of the children in Iraq. 

"They all knew about Rocky and he was their real-life Rocky," Campione said of the fallen officer who was also an ameteur boxer. "In the midst of war, he put smiles on their faces."

Pellegrini maintained pen-pal relationships with schools in the 26th district and helped distribute supplies to the impoverished children in Iraq. 

It is because of people like Pellegrini that Americans can never forget what happened a decade ago, Nutter said. 

"It became clear within hours that America was literally under attack," the mayor said. "And I want to, not just as your mayor but as a lifelong Philadelphia resident and American, to thank you. We will never be able to say it enough, but we should say it every chance we get."