Monthly Archives: May 2014

Firefighter David LaForge

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

David LaForge, 50, had also just finished the night shift that morning, but he was still at the firehouse when the call came in. As always, he’s the one who hopped behind the wheel and drove Ladder 20 to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, David LaForge, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Ladder Co. 20, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter Sean Hanley

Posted on May 11, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

Sean Hanley, 35, came from generations of firefighters: both grandfathers, his father and his brother had been with the FDNY. With five years in the department, Hanley had a reputation as a prankster around Ladder Co. 20, with gags like … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Ladder Co. 20, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, Sean Hanley, World Trade Center, WTC | 1 Comment

Firefighter James Gray

Posted on May 10, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

James Gray, 34, drove a NYC bus for six years while waiting to be called up. “He wanted the action,” said his wife. Following his father into the department, he became a firefighter in 1996. He was studying for his … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, James Gray, Ladder Co. 20, LODD, memorial, NFFF, paintings, World Trade Center, WTC | 2 Comments

Firefighter John Burnside

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

Firefighter John Burnside of Ladder 20 was 36 years old. and a 7-year FDNY veteran. He was a NYC police officer for 3 years while waiting for his chance to join the FDNY. “Johnny the Gent” told his wife: “How … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, John Burnside, Ladder Co. 20, LODD, memorial, NFFF, paintings, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Capt. John Fischer

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

John Fischer, 46 was posthumously promoted to Captain on September 17th. This father of three “was always coaching.” He never particularly cared if the teams won, but that everyone had a chance to play and that the lessons of good … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Capt. John Fischer, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Ladder Co. 20, LODD, memorial, NFFF, paintings, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Lt. Vincent Halloran

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

Lt. Vincent Halloran of Ladder 8 loved children and was the father of six, although the last one wasn’t born until after he was gone. I believe that between them, the 343 firefighters of Better Angels left behind 602 children. … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters of 9/11, Ladder Co. 8, LODD, Lt. Vincent Halloran, memorial, NFFF, paintings, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter Gregory Saucedo

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

Gregory Saucedo, 31, was the bench-press champ of Ladder 5. This 10-year FDNY veteran was also an avid and tireless runner who spent his last hour sprinting up and down the stairs of the North Tower aiding victims. He was … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Gregory Saucedo, Ladder 5, LODD, memorial, NFFF, paintings, World Trade Center, WTC | 1 Comment

Firefighter John Santore

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

The Noble Maritime Collection at Snug Harbor on Staten Island dedicated an exhibit to firefighter John Santore, 49, who founded the Noble Crew in 1992. Together these volunteers devoted eight years and a million dollars in sweat equity to completely … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, John Santore, Ladder 5, LODD, memorial, NFFF, paintings, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter Paul Keating

Posted on May 4, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

Paul Keating, 38, performed his first life-saving rescue just weeks after graduating the academy in 1995, but it was from water not fire. A strong swimmer, he pulled a drowning man from the ocean in New Jersey, administered CPR, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Ladder 5, LODD, memorial, NFFF, paintings, Paul Keating, World Trade Center, WTC | 11 Comments

Firefighter Thomas Hannafin

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

Thomas Hannafin was a 10-year veteran. His brother Kevin, an FDNY firefighter based in Brooklyn, was searching the ruins with other surviving members of Ladder 5 when they found the body of Thomas and four other members of the company. … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Ladder 5, LODD, memorial, NFFF, paintings, Thomas Hannafin, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment