SENATOR BRUNO HONORS NEW YORK�S FALLEN HEROES

Senator Bruno honored our fallen firefighters at Tuesday’s memorial ceremony.

Pays Tribute to New York State Firefighters at 4th Annual Memorial

Tuesday, October 9, 2001

Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno today joined Governor George E. Pataki and other state and local officials at the Fourth Annual Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in Albany to honor 30 fallen firefighters -- five of whom lost their lives in 2000 -- who had their names inscribed on the memorial wall this year. Less than a month removed from the September 11 tragedy in New York, the event was also a poignant reminder of the hundreds of New York firefighters who lost their lives at the World Trade Center.

"The tragic events of September 11 have given us a greater appreciation of both the tremendous sacrifices and contributions of all of our firefighters in New York State," said Senator Bruno. "This granite memorial wall helps us honor those brave firefighters who, without hesitation, put their lives on the line to protect their fellow neighbors."

The New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial includes a bronze sculpture of two firefighters rescuing their injured comrade, flanked by a 54-foot long by 15-foot high granite wall engraved with the names of the men and women of New York State firefighters who have given their lives in the line of duty.

Each year, New York State holds a memorial service to honor those fallen fighters who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. Thirty names have been added to the wall this year, bringing the total to 1,875. Of these thirty brave souls, five were lost in 2000 and the remaining 25, from previous years, were submitted by family members and fire departments for inclusion.

Following are names of the five firefighters who lost their lives last year and had their names engraved on the wall:

Frederick Brain - Miller Place Fire Department - Suffolk County
Kenneth Kerr - New York City Fire Department - New York
Charles E. H. Lauber, Jr. - Smithtown Fire Department- Suffolk County
Bernard D. Scannell- Waterloo Fire Department- Seneca County
Keith Purcell- Southold Fire Department - Suffolk County

"With the earliest name on this wall dating back to 1811, the brave and selfless work of our firefighters spans nearly the entire history of New York State," Senator Bruno added. "Our admiration for their sacrifices and our grief over their loss will not diminish with the passage of time."

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