A New York City firefighter, Esposito gave his life in the Sept. 11 attacks when he rushed into the burning World Trade Center in hope of saving someone.

"He was the best brother, cousin, son and husband you could ask for," Esposito's brother, Richard, said at Saturday's ceremony at the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial. "He was dedicated and honest and was always there for anyone who needed him."

The 32-year-old Esposito came to Colorado every winter to ski at Snowmass. He was an active man and a bit of a prankster who liked to ride his motorcycle on Sundays and shoot pool on Wednesdays. His mother, Dorothy, said honoring her son in the state was fitting.

"He just loved Colorado. This is a beautiful site and a beautiful state," she said.

For the Esposito family, the terror attacks were a double loss.

Dorothy Esposito's nephew Michael Esposito, a lieutenant with Squad 1, also died at the World Trade Center. Michael Esposito, 42, fought fires for 22 years. He left behind a wife and two sons, ages 12 and 15. Dorothy Esposito accepted the flag presented in honor of her nephew's heroism because his wife could not make it to Colorado.

Frankie Esposito's body has not been found. Richard Esposito worked feverishly in the days following the attack on a ground zero bucket brigade searching for his brother's remains. But despite the tragedy, family members said Frankie died doing what he loved.

"He had only been with the department for two years, but he was the happiest he ever was those last two years of his life," Richard Esposito said.

Dorothy Esposito remembers the last time she spoke to her son, who was on duty with Engine Co. 235 in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn at the time of the attacks.

"It was the day before. It was just a normal conversation," she said. "But as soon as I heard about the attacks, I knew he was involved. That was just the kind of person he was. I tried to call all day, but I couldn't get through to anyone (at the station), but I just knew he was gone."

On Saturday, his family placed a picture of Frankie Esposito by his name on the memorial wall. They wore matching shirts dedicated to his memory and cried when his name was read aloud at the ceremony.

"It's overwhelming the number of people here today," Dorothy Esposito said. "It just shows that there is still some decent humanity in this world.

"And it's wonderful that all these firefighters are being honored here today, because they are all heroes."