Vogel: A fitting way to honor the courage of Brooklyn
Mike Vogel writes that the story of Stephen Siller -- one of the victims of the September 11, 2001, attack -- is "incredible."
As the families of those who gave their lives to save others on 9 / 11 walked up one by one to touch the bronze plaque honoring their loved ones, my eyes misted over. But Sol Moglen, founder of the Brooklyn Wall, gently reminded me, "This is not a memorial service -- it's a celebration of these heroes' lives."
He was right. Last week's fifth annual Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance Night honoring the borough's fallen heroes of Sept. 11 was indeed a celebration. The wall is beside the Brooklyn Cyclones' MCU Park in Coney Island, and after the ceremony the families and others went in to enjoy the baseball game.
I was privileged to be one of the people asked to help carry the flag into the stadium. After the presentation of the colors, the game began, and the Cyclones did their part by winning.
The night was dedicated to the late Shelly Goldfeder, who established a foundation that, among other things, assists scholarship programs for children of first responders killed in the line of duty.
Last week's celebration was also known as Siller Foundation Heroes Night. The family of Stephen Siller honors his memory with an annual Tunnel to Towers Run, which has already raised millions of dollars for children of fallen firefighters and other deserving recipients.
Siller's story is incredible. On 9 / 11, the firefighter was driving home through Brooklyn when he got word of a plane hitting the World Trade Center. He made a U-turn and sped toward the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel -- which was already closed.
Siller could have turned around and headed home. Instead, he strapped on 75 pounds of firefighting gear and ran the 1.7 miles through the tunnel, where he was picked up by another crew of firefighters responding to the call. He died when the towers collapsed.
The wall honors Siller and 416 other Brooklynites who gave their lives that day. Steps from the inspirational Jackie Robinson-Pee Wee Reese statue -- recently restored from vandalism -- the wall is well worth visiting, and free of charge.
"This is about giving families a place to take comfort," says Moglen, "and to know their loved ones will not be forgotten."
Playwright Mike Vogel blogs at newyorkgritty.net.
'Democrats say this is a misuse of taxpayer funds' Nassau Republicans awarded over $1 million in taxpayer-funded legal contracts to the one-man law firm of Sheharyar Ali, a longtime GOP ally. Ali's father is an adviser to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa and Newsday Nassau County politics reporter Bahar Ostadan have the story.
'Democrats say this is a misuse of taxpayer funds' Nassau Republicans awarded over $1 million in taxpayer-funded legal contracts to the one-man law firm of Sheharyar Ali, a longtime GOP ally. Ali's father is an adviser to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa and Newsday Nassau County politics reporter Bahar Ostadan have the story.
