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A firefighter who died in the former Deutsche Bank building was posthumously promoted to lieutenant in a Randalls Island ceremony Thursday.
The hundreds of firefighters who attended the ceremony applauded for two minutes as Linda Graffagnino, widow of the late honoree Robert Graffagnino, collected the honors.
The widow of Robert Beddia, another fireman killed at the former Deutsche Bank building, also attended the ceremony.
"For Linda Graffagnino, it's gotta be very mixed feelings," said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. "But you saw the reception she got and how much support she has in the department, as everybody gave her that really extended standing ovation. It helps, I think, but of course, nothing can make up for losing Joey."
The promotion ceremony comes as simultaneous investigations into the August 18, 2007 fire are still underway -- looking at a building with sealed staircases, a broken standpipe, where mandatory inspections were not completed.
Those safety lapses have angered Joseph Graffagnino, the fireman's father, which has why he is planning a Saturday rally to call attention to building construction safety:
"They've updated the fire department manual for the first time in almost 100 years, they've done a lot of good things for building checks, fire safety checks, locking people up who haven't been complying, giving out more severe penalties -- which is great," said Joseph Graffagnino. "But I think the biggest thing is they seem to be overlooking is certain agencies are still allowed loopholes, so they don't have to comply with some of the stricter codes."
The Saturday march will begin in Lower Manhattan at the former Deutsche Bank building and make its way to City Hall.
Graffagnino says they want to remind those inside City Hall about building safety and hopes for a good turnout.
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