New York City essential workers honored with new plaque commemorating Hometown Heroes ticker-tape parade

NEW YORK -- New York City paid tribute Thursday to essential workers who kept the city going through the darkest days of the pandemic. 

A new granite plaque in front of 250 Broadway commemorates the Hometown Heroes ticker-tape parade thrown for them last summer.

As CBS2's Kevin Rincon reported, there are plaques up and down the street marking ticker-tape parades for athletes, politicians, and pioneers in air and space. But this one is different because it honors everyday New Yorkers who stepped up during the city's time of need. 

"These were the heroes of our city," Mayor Eric Adams said during the dedication.

The mayor said the memorial is special, even as the city continues to deal with the pandemic. And the timing is meant to reflect that.

"Give me my flowers while I'm here," said Adams. "So this is a symbol that COVID is not over, but that the warriors are still here."

Postal workers, doormen, pharmacists, and sanitation employees were among those at the dedication. 

"Some people had the privilege to work at home. Some of us didn't. We just had to wake up every day and go back to work," sanitation worker Fernando Blanco said. 

During the height of the pandemic, subways kept running. Cherry Wiltshire has been part of the MTA for more than two decades. 

"I'm happy for the recognition. I'm happy that New York is still standing strong and we're still working together as a community. And it's a team effort to make everything work and to continue to move New York City the way we have to," she said.

The plaque is one of more than 200 along the Canyon of Heroes. This one commemorates everyday New Yorkers who did their jobs despite the risks during the pandemic.