Author Archives: Dawn Siebel

Firefighter Peter Carroll

Peter Carroll had been a firefighter 19 years and was planning to retire after 20. He was seen guiding people from Tower One to safety, then going back into the building to guide more out to safety, again and again. … Continue reading

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Firefighter Thomas Butler

Thomas Butler, 37, was a 12-year FDNY veteran. With the NYPD before joining the FDNY, Butler still worked part time as the Bay Constable in Smithtown, Long Island. He was a military history buff and Naval reservist. 
His father, Captain … Continue reading

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Firefighter Gary Box

Gary Box, 37, worked several hands-on jobs that might have become careers had they been challenging enough. It wasn’t until he became a FDNY probie in 1996 that he knew he had found his calling. At the firehouse he earned … Continue reading

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Firefighter Brian Bilcher

Brian Bilcher, 37, was “Captain America” to his wife, and “Tugboat” to his brothers at Squad 1.
 His first child, a son, was born on August 29th, just two weeks before 9/11. A 10-year veteran, Bilcher played guard on the … Continue reading

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Lt. Michael Esposito

Lt. Michael Esposito, 41, was posthumously promoted to Captain after 9/11. Nicknamed “Mel” after an “average guy” character in a Rodney Dangerfield movie, Esposito was on a 24 hour shift. Esposito had responded with the NYC Search & Rescue team … Continue reading

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Lt. Edward D’Atri

At 38, Lt. Edward D’Atri was a 16-year FDNY veteran. Off duty on 9/11, D’Atri left his Staten Island home around the same time his Squad left their firehouse. He was last seen going up a stairwell in Tower One, … Continue reading

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Capt. James Amato

Capt. James Amato, 43, was posthumously promoted to Battalion Chief. He loved the fire department and he loved being in the thick of the action, which is why – even tho he was assigned to a busy ladder company – … Continue reading

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Firefighter Michael Bocchino

 

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B. C. Joseph Grzelak

Battalion Chief Joseph Grzelak went straight from high school into the Marine Corps, spending 1968 and 1969 in Vietnam. He was discharged as a Sergeant in 1970 and appointed to FDNY in 1973. After that was a slow but steady … Continue reading

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Firefighter Peter Vega

  Peter Vega, 6’3”, had the nickname of “Big Head” for the obvious reason, which required a special helmet. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Vega was proud of his mixed Irish and Puerto Rican heritage. His family moved to … Continue reading

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