Author Archives: Dawn Siebel

Firefighter Leon Smith, Jr.

Leon Smith Jr., 48, wanted to be a firefighter since he was nine years old. Even as a kid he would hang out at the local station. In February of ‘82, his dream came true and he was appointed to … Continue reading

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Firefighter Scott Davidson

Scott Davidson, 33, was an all around athlete and “true team player” who nonetheless won more than his share of MVPs. He played on baseball and basketball teams all through college, and was named captain in his senior year. A … Continue reading

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Firefighter Vernon Cherry

Vernon Cherry would have turned 50 that October. After 28 years as a firefighter, and 19 with Ladder 118, he had been planning to retire at end of 2001. Famous throughout the FDNY for his voice, his wife said “you … Continue reading

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Firefighter Joseph Agnello

Joseph Agnello, 35, is always alphabetically the first of the 343. He was an unassuming guy who loved being a father. “Bells” had two boys under three. His remains were found on New Year’s Day 2002 along with Regan and … Continue reading

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Lt. Robert Regan

Lt. Robert Regan, 48, started his career as a civil engineer, but once his daughter was born, he quit his job and joined the FDNY so he could spend more time as a father. Four years later his son came … Continue reading

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Ladder Co. 118

Ladder 118 could watch the smoke rising from the Trade Center from their “Fire Under the Bridge” firehouse in Brooklyn. For the 14 minutes between when their housemates in Engine 226 had been called and the second plane strike, Ladder … Continue reading

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Firefighter Terence McShane

Terence McShane, 37, loved to play rugby. Playing since he was 14, he was good at it. He joined the FDNY in 1999 after a successful 12-year career in the NYPD in which he had risen to the rank of … Continue reading

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Firefighter Joseph Maffeo

Joseph Maffeo, 30, had been with the FDNY since 1996, following a father who had been an FDNY Captain with 40 years on the job. He had been studying for the Lieutenant’s exam all summer. That morning Maffeo was on … Continue reading

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Firefighter Thomas Kennedy

Thomas Kennedy had wanted five kids. So far he had two boys, aged one and two. The one-year-old took his first steps on September 14th.
 Kennedy, 36, was studying for his lieutenant’s exam.
 The chauffeur for Ladder 101 also had … Continue reading

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Firefighter Brian Cannizzaro

Brian Cannizzaro, 30, had a reputation for doing things large. When he proposed, he arranged for the prince in Beauty and the Beast to do it for him at the end of the performance. With the audience still in their … Continue reading

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