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KIDS THANK E. HARLEM’S BRAVEST

Around 250 students from the Holy Rosary School, wearing red plastic fire hats, marched to Battalion 12 headquarters in East Harlem yesterday morning to show support for their local heroes.

“We are marching for the firemen that died,” said fourth-grader Elishevah Young, 9. “We want to say we are sorry.”

The students presented plaques to the station house, memorializing Chiefs Fred Scheffold and Joseph Marchbanks and Lt. Charles Barbarini, three members of Battalion 12 who were killed at the World Trade Center.

“Firemen help people,” said classmate Destiny Reyes. “We love them.”

The students played drums and carried red-white-and-blue balloons the half-dozen blocks from their school to the station house. When they arrived, they sang “God Bless America” and the national anthem.

“It’s great!” said firefighter Mike Gager of Brooklyn. “The outpouring of support is greatly appreciated.”

“It’s quite a crowd,” added hero Steve Haggerty. “This helps boost morale. It’s fabulous to see a turnout like this to support our firefighters.”