Steve J. Mercado‚ 38‚ firefighter‚ FDNY‚ Engine 40. An 11-year FDNY veteran‚ Mercado was president of the Emperor’s Stickball League in the Bronx‚ where he was born and raised. Mercado‚ who earned the MVP award on several championship teams‚ was also trying to establish a stickball and baseball league for children under nine. The father of two also enjoyed playing softball with his fellow firefighters.
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Yesterday I participated in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at FDIC in Indianapolis. I climbed to honor those who perished on that fateful day. On my journey up and down the stairs of Lucas Oil Stadium, I carried a badge in remembrance of Steve Mercado. It was an awesome and humbling experience. To all of our fallen brothers I say, rest easy brother, we’ll take it from here. You are never forgotten.
– Sean OwensIm walking to honor this man at the stair climb in Grand Rapids, MI today. While I didn’t know you personally, your sacrifice and bravery is beyond words. the world must never forget.
– Katie PerryHi, I was given Steve’s (Mercado) name for the stair climb today in San Diego, to honor the fallen firefighters. What an honor it was.
– Donnalee HicksI also walked today, 9/11/2017, in honor of Firefighter Mercado at the Red Rocks Memorial Climb just outside of Denver, Colorado.
My son is also a firefighter… so I also prayed for Firefighter Mercado’s mom, wherever she is.
We will never forget. God bless.
– Lisa NelsonI attended a Dodgers and giants game a couple years back on 9-11. They gave out programs with a flag on one side and on the other side had someone who perished that awful day. On mine was Steve Mercado. I will always remember and honor him. God bless this hero.
– Denise WigingtonJust saw special on Steve Mercado and his sons who play stick ball and honor their Dad and grandfather. Wanted to look them up but didn’t find much. Saw a memorial stone and wondered where its located in NYC.
– Rita MaineToday I honored you. As another firefighter, it was my duty to climb the stairs in your name and to remember the sacrifice you made to save others. My heart goes out to you and all those that were lost, and to the family members that carry on your legacy. May you rest in peace, brother.
– Ian CoyeI will always remember hero/coach Steve mercado in the YMCA little league castlehill bx on that Tuesday 9/11/01 was supposed to be his day off but he coach his son team that was scheduled to play on Wednesday and he didn’t what to miss his game. What a Dad/Hero R.i.p and God bless his widow and boys. Every year I think about him and his family.
– Lazaro PerezI went to the 9/11 Memorial in 2016. After our tour I purchased items, one of which was a blind bracelet grab. I picked up Steve’s. I immediately was drawn to him. I was his age at the time of his passing. Tonight I shared his bracelet with my daughter. She’s 13. We never met you Steve, but we are forever indebted to you.
– Cindy McKnightI climbed today (9/22/18) honoring you, Steve, at Lambeau Field in WI. Watching so many service men and women in their gear doing the climb and realizing how hard it was for me, I have even more respect for those that serve our communities and risk their lives everyday. There were over 2700 people climbing today.
– Ashlee WParticipated in 9-11 stair climb today. There were 2700 participants. I was honored to walk those steps as Steve did. There will never be enough words to thank him and all the others for every day they went to work and especially this one.
– KaylaToday I visited the National 9/11 Museum and although I didn’t know Steve Mercado I came to pay respects to him after viewing the Documentary. His story puts into pespective the need to appreciate your loved ones, specially those who go to work in the service of others. Rest In Peace Steve & Thank you for your sacrifice.
– Hans MaestreToday I’m participating in the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb in Melbourne, Australia.
– GenevieveI’m wearing Steve on my turn out in his honour.
I am doing a presentation about you and I choose you out of all the 2700 casualties. And even though you are not with us, I thank and respect you for being putting your life before others.
– HannahToday I climbed 78 floors during a memorial held in Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, for all the 9/11 firefighters. I had the privilege of carrying Steve Mercado’s badge. It was definitely a humbling experience. I have a lot more respect for firefighters now. Rest In Peace Steve
Víctor Mexicano USMC
– Victor MexicanoSteve you have never been forgotten always in my Heart and Prayers, Pray that your boys now young men and your wife and family are doing well ❤
– Alicia VelezHe was Clark Kent our Superman. He was good man and a good father the best. I live back Bronx and waiting for memorial day weekend and on Fridays. And remember his parents and his wife,so l remember Steve he is HERO to all us
– Margie BarretoI am honored to have climbed the 5th annual NYC Memorial Stair Climb with your prayer card in hand. Since May 4th 2018 I have carried the memory of you and the other first responders’ who lost their lives on 9.11.01.
Thank you for your service and i will make certain you are not forgotten.
– Maxwell KennyToday 9/10/20 I participated in the YMCA memorial climb in your honor. Your sacrament will never be forgotten.
– StevenWe met when I was a freshmen in High School. Nice young man , always respectful. Then fast forward 20 years later I walked passed his fire house. It was so nice to see him as a firefighter. Fast forward to Memorial for fallen firefighters and I saw his name and picture. I couldn’t believe it. Steve may you Rest In Peace. God Bless you always
– Carla TenorioI’m climbing today in Nashville, TN in remembrance of FF Steve Mercado, FDNY Engine 40. He will never be forgotten.
– Brittany MilliganSteve was my childhood neighbor growing up in the 70’s in the Castle Hill houses, I remember squabbling with him and his two brothers Tony and Luis when we played in the building Terrace on our floor. His family moved away and we never heard about them since. I was saddened to hear that Steve was killed but not surprised he became a firefighter he was always into sports. Every year I remember him on this date and I watch when they read the names, I wish his family peace and condolences.
– Ray PerezThe 20th anniversary of 9 11 got the honor to wear his name. On the bike ride hosted in Cleveland Nc with the red knights .. may his family friends know he held a special place in my heart..
– SarahToday I walked in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Salt River Fields at Talking Stick are where the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies share the fields during Spring Training. All participants had the opportunity to wear a badge in remembrance of a fallen fireman from 9/11. My wife who also participated asked me why I chose the badge of Mr. Mercado. I said I didn’t know, I thought I knew the face so I grabbed it. She then pointed out to me that we are both Steve J. I then felt a connection to this hero I had never heard of before today. Well Steve J Mercado, you will never, ever be forgotten by Steve J Virissimo. God bless you and your family.
– Steve J VirissimoOn 9/11/2021 I participated in the 9/11 memorial stair climb held at Red Rocks, Colorado. I wore a 50# weighted vest for the nine laps through the venue, and carried. Badge in memory of Steve Mercado. My family and friends raised $1774 for the event in honor of those lost. God bless Mr. Mercado and his family.
– Kendall DeJongeThe presence of firehero Steve J. Mercado, is there whenever stickball alley becomes vivid, with the love of his sport. Probably in heaven, granted to establish a team of stickball angel players, was given to Steve, with God ‘s blessings. Amen.
– JUAN SANCHEZI visit ground zero every year in memory of my dear friend Steve Mercado. We met and worked together at TIAA-CREF in NYC before he became a firefighter. He always had a love for serving others and a natural passion for being active and stay fit. Thank you all for keeping his memory alive through your actions and kindness. #greatlymissed
– Judith MartinezI found his badge when doing the 9-11 stadium climb at Lambeau Field on September 10, 2022, and finished with his name and the I got when first started. I put the badge with the rest on my flag at home to always remember
– JenniferI chose Steve’s badge to run with at the Tunnel to Towers 5K in Newman, CA. I ran it with honor in your memory.
– Shaun FelberToday, Saturday September 9th, 2023, I was given Steve Mercado’s badge for the Utica NY Stair Climb. Despite it being 22 years after the tragedy of 9/11, I will pray for Mr. Mercado’s family.
– Jillian ChristianI climbed for Steven Mercado today!!
– leightonSteve and I were classmates at Norman Thomas High School in Manhattan and were in the same Spanish class. We were always the first to arrive and chatted until everyone else arrived. Steve wasn’t quite as talkative as I was, so I used to tried to make him laugh which he did. We didn’t know each other very well, not even at the end of the semester, but when we saw each other, there was always a quick hello and a smile. Steve went on to become a brave man, but he was probably a brave teenager as well. I just didn’t know it. Thank you so much for your service, my friend. Prayers to you and your family.
– Denise Johnson