On the 23rd anniversary of the attacks on September 11th, the community of East Meadow came together to remember, honor, and pay tribute to the nearly 3,000 lives lost. It was a time to remember our Firefighters and Police Officers either lost on that day, or lost to sickness in the passing years as a result of their months of work at ground zero.
It was also a time to remember the innocent civilians who did nothing more than go to work that morning.
Joining the large contingent of EMFD membership and apparatus were members of our community, our local dignitaries, the boy scouts, girls scouts, and many members of our local organizations.
On that day of September 11th and in the days that followed, all of East Meadow’s 7 volunteer companies had responded to the city of New York. Some were standby companies to cover empty FDNY houses, others went to staging areas, several reported to 16 acre disaster site.
As the days passed, losing several great members of our community became a painful reality.
In the immediate days Captain Dan Brethel of Ladder 24 in Manhattan was found, return home, and laid to rest. Dan, an original resident of East Meadow, and 10 years veteran and Ex Captain of EMFD Engine Company # 1, who later married and moved to Selden, fought many a fire here in East Meadow.
It was a time to mourn the loss of several of our own residents of East Meadow, Carlos Dominguez, Stephen Mark Fogel, Stephen LaMantia, and Ann Walsh McGovern.
In the 23 years that followed we continued to lose great people who died as a result of the toxins of the September 11th debris. For this, we honor Ex Captain Rudolf Halveka of EMFD Ladder 2, FDNY Firefighter Joesph A. Hatzelman, and our true American hero Ex Capt Raymond Pfeifer of EMFD Engine 3 and FDNY. It was Ray who throughout his battle with a 9/11 related cancer, petitioned our lawmakers, making several trips to Washington, some in a wheelchair, to petition for the extension of the Zadroga Act. A feat he accomplished before his passing in 2017.
So many great people, who left us too early.
But on this evening, in a tribute fitting of these great men and women, Master of Ceremonies / Firefighter Glenn Carpentier, mastered a program that offered thought, prayer, promise, and hope. A program put together each year with the outstanding efforts of Ex Chief Eric W. Becker.
E.M.F.D. Chaplain Douglas Wood spoke for his heart with faith for all in attendance.
Ex Chief Robert V Hughes of the Nassau County Firefighter’s Pipes and Drum band played a fitting tribute of “Amazing Grace”. Soon after, the community sang together as one to the sounds of “God Bless America”.
It was a night where nearly 300 persons came together to remember. God Bless East Meadow, and God Bless America.
STORY: John J. O’Brien Sr [email protected] PHOTOS: Jay Zinger