NEW YORK (WABC) — On this Memorial Day, many family members of 9/11 victims have nowhere to put a flag or lay a wreath because their loved ones remains were never identified.
The medical examiner’s office is still combing through thousands of remains and that’s where the conflict arises, so where should those remains be kept?
Joyce and Russell Mercer never found their son Scott’s remains.
He was a broker turned firefighter who knew the south tower like the back of his hand.
The Merecer’s [sic] believe Scott’s remains are among thousands yet to be identified by the medical examiner.
For the last decade, 8,500 remains have been kept inside this secured tent near the East River, but they were moved prior to Superstorm Sandy without the knowledge of the victim’s families.
On top of that, many 9/11 families are upset with the Bloomberg administration’s plan to move the unidentified remains to the basement of the 9/11 museum, which they say is not an appropriate place.
“They don’t care about us, and it’s wrong. We should be consulted,” said Jim Riches.
Some 9/11 families blame Mayor Bloomberg for keeping them out of the decision making process.
Russell Mercer believes the Federal Government, which has more resources should take over the handling of the unidentified remains.
“JPAC has a track record of identifying human remains from World War I, World War II,” he said.
At least for now the remains will stay at the medical examiner’s office.
Those 9/11 families say they’re hoping the next mayor of New York City will be more receptive to their protests.
