Monthly Archives: January 2015

Firefighter Dennis O’Berg

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Dennis O’Berg, 28, a probie, was only six weeks out of the Fire Academy and married just 11 months. He was an accountant for a year before changing his mind and entering his father’s profession. He loved his new job. … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, Dennis O'Berg, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Ladder Co. 105, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter Henry Miller, Jr.

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Henry Miller Jr., 52, was with Ladder 105 for 28 years. Three separate times he declined to retire because he loved being a firefighter. Just as he had for the 1993 WTC bombing, Miller chauffered 105’s hook and ladder to … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Henry Miller Jr, Ladder Co. 105, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter Thomas R. Kelly

Posted on January 18, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Thomas R. Kelly’s father and brother were also members of the FDNY. Kelly himself was an EMT before joining up. With a public moniker of the “Dean Street Heroes,” Ladder 105 in Park Slope is known within the department as … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Ladder Co. 105, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, Thomas Kelly, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Capt. Vincent Brunton

Posted on January 17, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

For Captain Vincent Brunton, 43, 1979 was an auspicious year. He got married, joined the FDNY and became a father for the first time. Commissioner Von Essen said at Vinnie’s funeral that “only exceptional captains went back to lead the … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Ladder Co. 105, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, Vincent Brunton, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter Neil Leavy

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Neil Leavy, 34, graduated with a degree in finance and was a commodities trader in the World Trade Center for several years before he gave it up to join the FDNY. He had always wanted to be “where the action … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, Engine Co. 217, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, Neil Leavy, NFFF, paintings, portraits, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter Steven Coakley

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Steven Coakley, 36, had just finished his shift that morning when he jumped on the truck into Manhattan. Apparently he worked a lot of double shifts. It was his practice to work back-to-back as often as he could for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, Engine Co. 217, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, Steven Coakley, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Lt. Kenneth Phelan

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

When Lt. Kenneth Phelan, 41, was made Lieutenant in 2000, he asked to be assigned to Engine Company 217, the “Smokebusters,” in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, his father’s old house. Along with his brother, Phelan had first joined the NYPD in 1981 … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, Engine Co. 217, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Kenneth Phelan, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

B.C. Dennis Cross

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Now we move to Battalion 57 in Brooklyn. They lost 21 men.  Battalion Chief Dennis Cross, 60, went from a 2-year tour in Vietnam into the FDNY in 1964. He was following a family tradition. His father had been … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, Battalion 57, better angels, Dawn Siebel, Dennis Cross, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, World Trade Center, WTC | 2 Comments

Firefighter Stephen Siller

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Stephen Siller, 34, was orphaned at 10 and raised by his brothers & sisters. He joined the FDNY in 1995. On the morning of September 11th, he had just finished the late shift and was on his way to meet … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, Squad One, Stephen Siller, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter Matthew Garvey

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Matthew Garvey enlisted with the Marines when he turned 18. He retired after 10 years as a sergeant and squad leader with the elite “2nd Anglico.” He had served in Beirut, Desert Storm and Desert Shield. A fellow marine wrote: … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Manhattan, Matthew Garvey, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, Squad One, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment