On September 11th 2001, most of us began our day as any normal day, we went to work, or school, and our children to daycare, or the babysitter.For 2,606 people In New York City they went to work just like any other day, as did 125 men and women at the Pentagon, but at 8:46 AM everything was changed. The world we knew and loved stopped turning, and a series of events took place that were unforgettable.
Today I look back at the events and reflect, where I was from the original call I received, to watching it on the big screen TV in the Ski Lodge, to the phone call from Albany, NY asking for CPL. Richard E. White.
I myself went to work at Killington Mountain, a ski resort in Killington, VT where I sat with no radio, tv, or any noise at the skyship gondola, where we were beginning fall checks for the upcoming ski season. at 9:00 AM, supervisor Jim O’neil called on the phone, “Rich, you have a radio down there or anything?” he asked. “No, sir, nothing down here. It is all quiet, on the skyship.” I said. He replied back with hesitation in his voice,”The World Trade Center has been blown up. You should come up and punch out, just getting back from the service you, might have to go and help.”
After sliding my card through the time clock, I walked to the ski lodge in front of the K1 gondola, and for the first time saw the terror, in our nations eyes, the big screen TV was on CNN and full blast, the sound echoed the room as nearly 100 patrons watched in fear.
I returned home by 10:45 Am and had just got into the door and the phone rang, “Can we reach CPL. Richard E. White?” The voice said on the other line. Butterflies hit my stomach, and a rush of cold ran through my back as my body, temperature seemed to rise about 20 degrees. “Yes sir, it is me.”
Calmly the voice on the other end of the phone said. “We would like you to pack your bag, do not wear your uniform, and only travel by personal vehicle. Report to Albany MEPS within 24 hours, we need every soldier we can get, to help, you will be instructed, and debriefed when you arrive, thank you.” As I hung up the phone I shivered in fear, what did this mean? was I going to a war, was I going to help rescue, what was I going to help with?
Over the next two years I would serve my country. I spent two weeks at ground zero helping clean up the rubble, and search for survivors, there were none. To this day it is very surreal for me what happened that day, and in the two years of combat I faced, losing my entire platoon in Iraq in 2002, and coming home a helpless vet. For eleven years I have wanted to do more, and this year I joined the Perth Volunteer Fire Company. This evening our dept is attending a 9/11 ceremony at Kenyetto Fire Dept, in Broadalbin to remember the 343 firefighters, and other first responders that lost their lives in the attacks.
For those that paid the ultimate sacrifice, I thank them for their service, and their efforts to help when our country was devastated. This week I was invited to join a facebook group called Remember Me: The Virtual Facebook September 11, 2001 Memorial (Reboot) and they asked for each person to memorialize two people from the Sept 2001 attacks, and since I have now become a firefighter I found it fitting to honor to FDNY firefighters that gave their lives to the dust and rubble, we once knew as the World Trade Center.
Today I hold this small memorial for FDNY firefighters Andrew Borgese, and Lt. John P. Murray in their bravest efforts in helping during the September 11, 2001 attacks these men gave the ultimate sacrifice, leaving behind them, their families, friends, loved ones and fellow firefighters. They will never be forgotten, they will always be remembered. They are heroes, and each of them rewarded with the highest of highs, as they entered the kingdom of god, and received their wings to watch over us as we fight fire every time we are called upon, Thank you Andrew Borgese for laying down your life when you were called upon. Thank You Lt. John P. Murray for laying down your life when you were called upon, and to both of your families, most importantly I thank you for your husbands, son, fathers, brothers, etc. service to our country, may God Bless The USA.
The life of a firefighter is closely associated with the ringing of a bell. as he begins his hours of duty it is the bell that starts
it off, and so through the day and night each alarm is sound by a bell, which calls him to fight fires and to place his life in jeopardy. For the good of his fellowman. And when the fire is out and the alarm has come to an end, the bell rings three times to signal the end. And now Station 343 you have completed your task, your duties were well done. Thank you Station 343, dedicated to the 343 firefighters who died in the 9/11/01 attacks. Below are those 343 names, rank and companies in which each of them served. Thank You Firefighter Richard E. White
Remembering 343 F.D.N.Y.
All gave some, …. these folks gave all!
F.D.N.Y.
343 FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS
Last Alarm: September 11, 2001
Joseph Agnello – Ladder 118
Lt.
Brian Ahearn – Battalion 13
Eric Allen – Squad 18 ( D )
Richard Allen – Ladder 15
Captain James Amato – Squad 1
Calixto Anaya Jr.
– Engine 4
Joseph Agnello – Ladder 118
Lt.
Brian Ahearn – Battalion 13
Eric Allen – Squad 18 ( D )
Richard Allen – Ladder 15
Captain James Amato – Squad 1
Calixto Anaya Jr.
– Engine 4
Joseph Angelini – Rescue 1 ( D )
Joseph Angelini Jr.
– Ladder 4
Faustino Apostol Jr.
– Battalion 2
David Arce – Engine 33
Louis Arena – Ladder 5 ( D )
Carl Asaro – Battalion 9
Lt.
Gregg Atlas – Engine 10
Gerald Atwood – Ladder 21
Gerald Baptiste – Ladder 9
Assistant Chief Gerard Barbara – Command Center
Matthew Barnes – Ladder 25
Arthur Barry – Ladder 15
Lt.
Steven Bates – Engine 235
Carl Bedigian – Engine 214
Stephen Belson – Battalion 7
John Bergin – Rescue 5
Paul Beyer – Engine 6
Peter Bielfeld – Ladder 42
Brian Bilcher – Squad 1
Carl Bini – Rescue 5
Christopher Blackwell – Rescue 3
Michael Bocchino – Battalion 48
Frank Bonomo – Engine 230
Gary Box – Squad 1
Michael Boyle – Engine 33
Kevin Bracken – Engine 40
Michael Brennan – Ladder 4
Peter Brennan – Rescue 4
Captain Daniel Brethel – Ladder 24 ( D )
Captain Patrick Brown – Ladder 3
Andrew Brunn – Ladder 5 ( D )
Captain Vincent Brunton – Ladder 105
F.M.
Ronald Bucca
Greg Buck – Engine 201
Captain William Burke Jr.
– Engine 21
Assistant Chief Donald Burns – Command Center
John Burnside – Ladder 20
Thomas Butler – Squad 1
Patrick Byrne – Ladder 101
George Cain – Ladder 7
Salvatore Calabro – Ladder 101
Captain Frank Callahan – Ladder 35
Michael Cammarata – Ladder 11
Brian Cannizzaro – Ladder 101
Dennis Carey – Hmc.
1
Michael Carlo – Engine 230
Michael Carroll – Ladder 3
Peter Carroll – Squad 1 ( D )
Thomas Casoria – Engine 22
Michael Cawley – Ladder 136
Vernon Cherry – Ladder 118
Nicholas Chiofalo – Engine 235
John Chipura – Engine 219
Michael Clarke – Ladder 2
Steven Coakley – Engine 217
Tarel Coleman – Squad 252
John Collins – Ladder 25
Robert Cordice – Squad 1
Ruben Correa – Engine 74
James Coyle – Ladder 3
Robert Crawford – Safety
Lt. John Crisci – H.M.
Battalion Chief Dennis Cross – Battalion 57 ( D )
Thomas Cullen III – Squad 41
Robert Curatolo – Ladder 16 ( D )
Lt.
Edward D’Atri – Squad 1
Michael D’Auria – Engine 40
Scott Davidson – Ladder 118
Edward Day – Ladder 11
Battailion Chief Thomas DeAngelis – Battalion 8
Manuel Delvalle – Engine 5
Martin DeMeo – Hazmat 1
David DeRubbio – Engine 226
Lt.
Andrew Desperito – Engine 1 ( D )
Battalion Chief Dennis Devlin – Battalion 9
Gerard Dewan – Ladder 3
George DiPasquale – Ladder 2
Lt.
Kevin Donnelly – Ladder 3
Lt.
Kevin Dowdell – Rescue 4
Battalion Chief Raymond Downey – Soc.
Gerard Duffy – Ladder 21
Captain Martin Egan, Jr.
– Division 15 ( D )
Michael Elferis – Engine 22
Francis Esposito – Engine 235
Lt.
Michael Esposito – Squad 1
Robert Evans – Engine 33
Battalion Chief John Fanning – H.O.
Captain Thomas Farino – Engine 26
Terrence Farrell – Rescue 4
Captain Joseph Farrelly – Division 1
Deputy Commander William Feehan – ( D )
Lee Fehling – Engine 235
Alan Feinberg – Battalion 9
Michael Fiore – Rescue 5
Lt.
John Fischer – Ladder 20
Andre Fletcher – Rescue 5
John Florio – Engine 214
Lt.
Michael Fodor – Ladder 21
Thomas Foley – Rescue 3
David Fontana – Squad 1
Robert Foti – Ladder 7
Andrew Fredericks – Squad 18
Lt.
Peter Freund – Engine 55
Thomas Gambino Jr.
– Rescue 3
Chief of Department Peter Ganci, Jr.
( D )
Lt.
Charles Garbarini – Battalion 9
Thomas Gardner – Hmc.
1
Matthew Garvey – Squad 1
Bruce Gary – Engine 40
Gary Geidel – Rescue 1
Battalion Chief Edward Geraghty – Battalion 9
Dennis Germain – Ladder 2
Lt.
Vincent Giammona – Ladder 5
James Giberson – Ladder 35
Ronnie Gies – Squad 288
Paul Gill – Engine 54
Lt.
John Ginley – Engine 40
Jeffrey Giordano – Ladder 3
John Giordano – Hmc.
1
Keith Glascoe – Ladder 21
James Gray – Ladder 20
Battalion Chief Joseph Grzelak – Battalion 48
Jose Guadalupe – Engine 54
Lt.
Geoffrey Guja – Battalion 43
Lt.
Joseph Gullickson – Ladder 101
David Halderman – Squad 18
Lt.
Vincent Halloran – Ladder 8
Robert Hamilton – Squad 41
Sean Hanley – Ladder 20 ( D )
Thomas Hannafin – Ladder 5
Dana Hannon – Engine 26
Daniel Harlin – Ladder 2
Lt.
Harvey Harrell – Rescue 5
Lt.
Stephen Harrell – Battalion 7
Cpt. Thomas Haskell, Jr.
– Division 15
Timothy Haskell – Squad 18 ( D )
Cpt.
Terence Hatton – Rescue 1
Michael Haub – Ladder 4
Lt.
Michael Healey – Squad 41
John Hefferman – Ladder 11
Ronnie Henderson – Engine 279
Joseph Henry – Ladder 21
William Henry – Rescue 1 ( D )
Thomas Hetzel – Ladder 13
Cpt.
Brian Hickey – Rescue 4
Lt. Timothy Higgins – S.O.C.
Jonathan Hohmann – Hmc.
1
Thomas Holohan – Engine 6
Joseph Hunter – Squad 288
Cpt.
Walter Hynes – Ladder 13 ( D )
Jonathan Ielpi – Squad 288
Cpt. Frederick Ill Jr.
– Ladder 2
William Johnston – Engine 6
Andrew Jordan – Ladder 132
Karl Joseph – Engine 207
Lt.
Anthony Jovic – Battalion 47
Angel Juarbe Jr.
– Ladder 1
Fr.
Mychal Judge – Chaplain (D)
Vincent Kane – Engine 22
Battalion Chief Charles Kasper – S.O.C.
Paul Keating – Ladder 5
Richard Kelly Jr.
– Ladder 11
Thomas R.
Kelly – Ladder 15
Thomas W.
Kelly – Ladder 105
Thomas Kennedy – Ladder 101
Lt.
Ronald Kerwin – Squad 288
Michael Kiefer – Ladder 132
Robert King Jr.
– Engine 33
Scott Kopytko – Ladder 15
William Krukowski – Ladder 21
Kenneth Kumpel – Ladder 25
Thomas Kuveikis – Squad 252
David LaForge – Ladder 20
William Lake – Rescue 2
Robert Lane – Engine 55
Peter Langone – Squad 252
Scott Larsen – Ladder 15
Lt.
Joseph Leavey – Ladder 15
Neil Leavy – Engine 217
Daniel Libretti – Rescue 2
Carlos Lillo – Paramedic
Robert Linnane – Ladder 20
Michael Lynch – Engine 40
Michael Lynch – Ladder 4
Michael Lyons – Squad 41
Patrick Lyons – Squad 252
Joseph Maffeo – Ladder 101
William Mahoney – Rescue 4
Joseph Maloney – Ladder 3 ( D )
Battalion Chief Joseph Marchbanks Jr.
– Battalion 12
Lt.
Charles Margiotta – Battalion 22
Kenneth Marino – Rescue 1
John Marshall – Engine 23
Lt.
Peter Martin – Rescue 2
Lt.
Paul Martini – Engine 23
Joseph Mascali – T.S.U.
2
Keithroy Maynard – Engine 33
Brian McAleese – Engine 226
John McAvoy – Ladder 3
Thomas McCann – Battalion 8
Lt.
William McGinn – Squad 18
Battalion Chief William McGovern – Battalion 2 ( D )
Dennis McHugh – Ladder 13
Robert McMahon – Ladder 20
Robert McPadden – Engine 23
Terence McShane – Ladder 101
Timothy McSweeney – Ladder 3
Martin McWilliams – Engine 22 ( D )
Raymond Meisenheimer – Rescue 3
Charles Mendez – Ladder 7
Steve Mercado – Engine 40
Douglas Miller – Rescue 5
Henry Miller Jr.
– Ladder 105
Robert Minara – Ladder 25
Thomas Mingione – Ladder 132
Lt.
Paul Mitchell – Battalion 1
Capt.
Louis Modafferi – Rescue 5
Lt.
Dennis Mojica – Resscue 1 ( D )
Manuel Mojica – Squad 18 ( D )
Carl Molinaro – Ladder 2
Michael Montesi – Rescue 1
Captain Thomas Moody – Division 1
Battalion Chief John Moran – Battalion 49
Vincent Morello – Ladder 35
Christopher Mozzillo – Engine 55
Richard Muldowney Jr.
– Ladder 7
Michael Mullan – Ladder 12
Dennis Mulligan – Ladder 2
Lt.
Raymond Murphy – Ladder 16
Lt.
Robert Nagel – Engine 58
John Napolitano – Rescue 2
Peter Nelson – Rescue 4
Gerard Nevins – Rescue 1
Dennis O’Berg – Ladder 105
Lt.
Daniel O’Callaghan – Ladder 4
Douglas Oelschlager – Ladder 15
Joseph Ogren – Ladder 3
Lt.
Thomas O’Hagan – Battalion 4
Samuel Oitice – Ladder 4
Patrick O’Keefe – Rescue 1
Captain William O’Keefe – Division 15 ( D )
Eric Olsen – Ladder 15
Jeffery Olsen – Engine 10
Steven Olson – Ladder 3
Kevin O’Rourke – Rescue 2
Michael Otten – Ladder 35
Jeffery Palazzo – Rescue 5
Battalion Chief Orio Palmer – Battalion 7
Frank Palombo – Ladder 105
Paul Pansini – Engine 10
Battalion Chief John Paolillo – Battalion 11
James Pappageorge – Engine 23
Robert Parro – Engine 8
Durrell Pearsall – Rescue 4
Lt.
Glenn Perry – Battalion 12
Lt.
Philip Petti – Battalion 7
Lt.
Kevin Pfeifer – Engine 33
Lt.
Kenneth Phelan – Battalion 32
Christopher Pickford – Engine 201
Shawn Powell – Engine 207
Vincent Princiotta – Ladder 7
Kevin Prior – Squad 252
Battalion Chief Richard Prunty – Battalion 2 ( D )
Lincoln Quappe – Rescue 2
Lt.
Michael Quilty – Ladder 11
Ricardo Quinn – Paramedic
Leonard Ragaglia – Engine 54
Michael Ragusa – Engine 279
Edward Rall – Rescue 2
Adam Rand – Squad 288
Donald Regan – Rescue 3
Lt.
Robert Regan – Ladder 118
Christian Regenhard – Ladder 131
Kevin Reilly – Engine 207
Lt.
Vernon Richard – Ladder 7
James Riches – Engine 4
Joseph Rivelli – Ladder 25
Michael Roberts – Engine 214
Michael E.
Roberts – Ladder 35
Anthony Rodriguez – Engine 279
Matthew Rogan – Ladder 11
Nicholas Rossomando – Rescue 5
Paul Ruback – Ladder 25
Stephen Russell – Engine 55
Lt. Michael Russo – S.O.C.
Battalion Chief Matthew Ryan – Battalion 1
Thomas Sabella – Ladder 13
Christopher Santora – Engine 54
John Santore – Ladder 5 ( D )
Gregory Saucedo – Ladder 5
Dennis Scauso – H.M.
1
John Schardt – Engine 201
Battalion Chief Fred Scheffold – Battalion 12
Thomas Schoales – Engine 4
Gerard Schrang – Rescue 3 ( D )
Gregory Sikorsky – Squad 41
Stephen Siller – Squad 1
Stanley Smagala Jr.
– Engine 226
Kevin Smith – H.M.
1
Leon Smith Jr.
– Ladder 118
Robert Spear Jr.
– Engine 26
Joseph Spor – Rescue 3
Battalion Cheif Lawrence Stack – Battalion 50
Captain Timothy Stackpole – Division 11 ( D )
Gregory Stajk – Ladder 13
Jeffery Stark – Engine 230
Benjamin Suarez – Ladder 21
Daniel Suhr – Engine 216 ( D )
Lt.
Christopher Sullivan – Ladder 111
Brian Sweeney – Rescue 1
Sean Tallon – Ladder 10
Allan Tarasiewicz – Resscue 5
Paul Tegtmeier – Engine 4
John Tierney – Ladder 9
John Tipping II – Ladder 4
Hector Tirado Jr.
– Engine 23
Richard Vanhine – Squad 41
Peter Vega – Ladder 118
Lawrence Veling – Engine 235
John Vigiano II – Ladder 132
Sergio Villanueva – Ladder 132
Lawrence Virgilio – Squad 18 ( D )
Lt.
Robert Wallace – Engine 205
Jeffery Walz – Ladder 9
Lt.
Michael Warchola – Ladder 5 ( D )
Captain Patrick Waters – S.O.C.
Kenneth Watson – Engine 214
Michael Weinberg – Engine 1 ( D )
David Weiss – Rescue 1
Timothy Welty – Squad 288
Eugene Whelan – Engine 230
Edward White – Engine 230
Mark Whitford – Engine 23
Lt.
Glenn Wilkinson – Engine 238 ( D )
Battalion Chief John Williamson – Battalion Chief 6 ( D )
Capt.
David Wooley – Ladder 4
Raymond York – Engine 285 ( D )
Remember these pray men today and everyday!
Shotgun Bo Rivers 