"By not only putting your lives on the line on the streets of our city, you chose to travel to Iraq, Afghanistan, or wherever that threat lie, and take action and put yourself into harm's way," says Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey.
Special tribute was paid to Police Officer Gerry Pellegrini, who was killed while serving in Iraq in August 2005.
Also recognized were officers who responded to Ground Zero in the days after September 11th.
"Fifteen Philadelphia police officers went to New York City 10 years ago to provide support and service in what can only be, for most of us, it is unimaginable, what must've been going on at that scene and at that site," says Mayor Michael Nutter.
A giant American flag fluttered in the breeze, as children from the Russell Byers Charter School recited the pledge of allegiance.
After receiving a donation to the Hero Thrill Show Scholarship Fund, Fire Commissioners Lloyd Ayers reflected on how the attacks created a new reality for the men and women on his force.
"We're always aware, we have trained all of our officers, all of our firefighters to be aware of what can happen from a man-made situation," says Ayers.
The event ended with volunteers handing out small American flags to passers-by.
