What began as an effort to show solidarity with the 343 New York City firefighters who died in the collapse of the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001, has evolved into a new point of pride for Monticello firefighters.

  Individually and in groups, firefighters have been heading to a tattoo parlor in Becker to emblazon their shoulders with a specially-designed emblem.

“Back in August, we were trying to think of what we could do to show our brotherhood (for the Sept. 11 victims) besides a ceremony at the fire hall,” said Monticello Fire Department Captain Steve Joerg. “And we wanted to show our pride in what we do together here for this community.”