Never Forget; Remember with Reverence

By on September 11, 2008 5:00 am in History

Our own FDNY heroes, Engine Company 205 / Ladder Company 118 “Fire Under the Bridge”, lost 8 men on 9/11/01 including 6 who died together in their firetruck under the rubble.  The photo of their recovered vehicle was one of the most poignant images of the attack’s aftermath.

Now more than ever, as some choose to use the images of that tragic day for partisan political purposes, we must remember that these men were something more than just names on a list.   Yes, fate chose them to be heroes and they rose to that occasion but they were first and foremost our friends, husbands, boyfriends, fathers, sons, New Yorkers.

Please take a moment to remember our Brooklyn Heights Heroes:

Lt. Joseph Agnello

Firefighter Vernon Cherry

Firefighter Scott Davidson

Firefighter Leon Smith Jr.

Firefighter Peter Vega

Lt. Robert Wallace

Lt. Robert Regan

Captain Martin Egan

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  • nabeguy

    …and our neighbors as well, given that they spent almost a third of their llives on Middagh Street. I can still recall clearly the booming voice of Mo Cherry as his songs echoed off the tile walls of the firehouse, and the urgency with which Express Smith would stand in front of the firehouse with his nose in the air sniffing out work, the jocularity of “The Dog” Davidson as he teased and cajoled his comrades These memories and these men will always remain in my heart and mind.

  • BHboy

    remember…

    can this photo be viewed somewhere?

  • Henry&State

    These men, along with the others who died will forever be in my heart, my prayers and I will NEVER FORGET. These ARE the brave. May God continue to Bless them and their families and friends.

  • Tim N.

    Thanks, Nabeguy… apparently Lt. Agnello was nicknamed “Joey Bells” because he accidentally set off an alarm early in his tenure at the house.

    For those of you who don’t know, FF Cherry was the official tenor of the FDNY. FF Smith got the nickname “Express” because, as the driver of Engine 205, he was hellbent and determined to be the first truck on any scene.

    When my daughter was in preschool over at ILC on Monroe Place, the big class trip was to the firehouse. I always made sure I got to chaperone that trip. The guys in the house were always great. They gave the kids a tour of the firehouse and then gave the kids cookies. They then turned to me and asked me if I wanted one, I said “no, save them for the kids.” So they showed me one of their cabinets; it had more Oreos and Chips Ahoys than the Nabisco plant. I just laughed and said, “You guys sure love your cookies.”

    This was in the spring of 2001. Sadly, I scanned the pictures of the men above on the eleventh and remembered a few. That’s why my wife and I left a box of Chips Ahoys at the memorial.

  • bklynred

    My son spent many a Saturday afternoon at the firehouse. He was devastated when his “friends” were killed on 9/11.

  • nabeguy

    Thanks for the poignant bacgkground story Tim. I always wondered about cookies at the memorial…

  • my2cents

    I saw the 118 truck drive by me on Henry street this morning as I was walking to the subway. It sent chills down my spine. God bless the families and comrades of these brave men. Thanks to the above commenters for posting their stories.

  • weegee

    Let’s also remember the members of Engine 207/Ladder 110 from Tillary St., which are also first-alarm companies in the Heights. FF Karl Joseph, FF Kevin O’Reilly, FF Shawn Powell, as well as FF Adam Rand of Squad 288 who had previously been assigned to Engine 207. Also, Lt. Paul Mitchell, a longtime member of Ladder 110.

  • Annette

    Although I no longer live in the neighborhood, I still proudly wear my “Fire Under the Bridge” t-shirts, mementos from the **huge** parties Engine 205/Ladder 118 used to have directly under the Brooklyn Bridge, before EOM took that beautiuful area over. There was one party in 2002, and I have that shirt as well, but the vibe had changed and trouble was had, so that was the end of the parties.

    There were a few news segments done about our lost heroes, and I taped all that I saw, edited them onto one tape and made about 15 copies, which I dropped at the firehouse for friends and family to see. Long before I moved away in 2007, none of the original members of that house remained; they had either all retired or transfered elsewhere. Who could blame them?

    In happier days, I used to walk my dogs, Bailey & Kahlua, past the firehouse on the way home from Squibb Hill (aka Hillside Park these days). If the garage door was open, Kahlua, a certified therapy dog, would slow down, lingering, hoping a firefighter or three would come pet him.

    After that fateful day, every Sunday for three months, Kahlua and I went to the Family Assitance Center/Pier 92, walking the airplane hanger-sized building for hours, Kahlua stopping for any and all who wanted to pet him. During those many months that followed, I think Kahlua sensed the mourning and sadness at our little firehouse, and he stopped more frequently, always hoping, but the garage door was almost always closed. If it was open, he would stop, but I would have to coax him along when it was clear no one was coming out to him.

    Bailey and Kahlua have since gone to heaven in recent years, and I like to think Kahllua has made the rounds up there, too, seeking out his friends from our beloved firehouse and any and all others who want comfort, this time with his mom Bailey at his side.

  • here since 89

    how could we ever forget? impossible!