9/11 anniversary remembered in Queens

Annual memorial a touching tribute

Every September 11 for the past 12 years, Linda Catalano has placed a memorial of candles and a poster outside her house.

She pays tribute to all the lives lost that faithful day, but especially her friend, Lieutenant Robert Wallace of FDNY Engine Company 205 Ladder 118 in Brooklyn and a former Woodhaven resident.

Wallace ran into the Towers to help save lives, but much like many of his peers and thousands of innocent people, he didn’t make it out alive. He is survived by a wife and four children.

When Catalano moved to Glendale three years ago to be closer to work, she continued her tradition. This year she decided to attend the community memorial on September 8 in Forest Park and couldn’t hold back the tears when his name was called, along with the more than 40 lives lost from the neighborhood in the attacks.

“I got all emotional,” Catalano said. “He was a big part of my life.”

As the names were read, children, veterans and members of the community placed roses at a memorial stone in their honor.

“As a community we will never forget what we lost that day,” said Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley.

“It’s important to remember. It’s one of the most terrible tragedies in our country,” echoed Gary Giordano, district manager of Community Board 5. “We are lucky enough to carry on. God bless the police officers and firefighters that continue to protect us every day.”

LIAM LA GUERRE

Honoring the ultimate sacrifice

Friends and family members of six first responders who lost their lives during the 9/11 terrorist attacks gathered to honor their loved ones.

Members of the United States Army Reserve held the annual memorial service at Fort Totten on Saturday, September 7 to pay tribute to the six who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“We’re here to honor those who stood fast in the face of the enemy,” said Brigadier General Dwayne Edwards, deputy commander of the 99th Regional Support Command. “These six heroes refused to let the terrorists win the day.”

“Their strength and resolve shadowed that which is shown every day by service members who refuse to let the terrorists win,” Edwards continued. “Their patriotism can never be questioned, their valor can never be matched, and their sacrifice can never be repaid.”

The six men being honored were Captain Michael Mullan, Captain Mark Whitford, Warrant Officer Ronald Bucca, Sergeant Shawn Powell, Staff Sergeant Frederick Ill, and Lieutenant Colonel William Pohlmann.

They were part of the 77th Regional Support Command, which was renamed the 77th Regional Readiness Command in 2003. Five of them were New York City firefighters, and the other, Pohlmann, was a volunteer firefighter in Ardsley, New York.

“Their bravery is unimaginable,” said Will Mojsoski, who attended the memorial service. “They were among the first to put their lives on the line for not just their families and friends, but for perfect strangers.”

Bucca, who was fire marshal in Manhattan Command, was the first FDNY fire marshal killed in the line of duty. Pohlmann was an attorney with an office in the World Trade Center. He was also the engine company president of the Ardsley Volunteer Fire Department.

Mullan, a member of New York City Ladder 12, and Whitford, of Manhattan’s Engine Company 23, died while operating rescue missions at the Towers. Powell was a firefighter for Engine Company 207 and Frederick was a fire captain with Ladder 2 in Manhattan.

“Their silent service to this great country must never go unnoticed,” said Edwards. “It is our duty to constantly remind Americans how important is it to honor our men and women in uniform.”

JOHANN HAMILTON

St. Michael’s hosts Remembrance Run

Dozens gathered at Saint Michael’s Cemetery this past weekend to take part in the Remembrance Run, an annual event that raises money to help support children whose parents died on September 11, 2001.

The race was split into a children’s section and an adults’ section, and cut through the cemetery. The starting point and finish line was the Wall of Remembrance, which is engraved with the names of FDNY members who lost their lives that day.

“This event is to help those children whose parents contracted diseases and died at the World Trade Center on September 11,” said St. Michael’s Director of Community Relations Ed Horn. “That doesn’t just mean those who died that day, but also those who went back to work cleanup and look through the rubble. Many of them contracted diseases while searching for survivors and this event raises money for their children.”

Saturday, September 7 was the second annual Remembrance Run, and there was also a memorial service afterwards.

The first to finish the race was Kenneth Young, who was also the last person to register.

“It’s great what they’re doing here,” said Sarah Small, who came to support her friends in the race. “It’s important that we don’t allow the memories of those who died that day to fade away, and events like this prevent that from happening.”

RECOMMENDED STORIES