Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2012 wish the firemen and women from Germany Ludwigslust

My Dad retired around 1959 from the NYFD after 28 or so years of service. He was a Marine Pilot. I visited his last station at the Battery with my family right around 1986 and some fellows remembered him as "wild man Jack". I loved it. Now I want to find out about his outstanding service. Can you help me.
Sincerely,
His third son
Peter McGrain

I have retired after 33 years on the line, mostly as a line officer at a VFD near Chicago. My father was a volunteer in Cattaraugus, my son carries on the "family business" near Chicago. I watched the towers fall on 9/11, learned of the FDNY losses in the days after and mourned the 343. They are gone, but will not be forgotten by any other Fire Fighter who also puts his life on the line. I'm glad a Fire Boat commemorates the 343.

I don't know if any body remembers Me or My father John Sheridan chief engineer. John passed away 7/09 at 99.5 I worked in the marine shops be4 retiring. Would like to hear from Billy O'brian. Bill

Just to let all you guys know that we in England respect and will always remember the 343.
Keep safe.
John Merry

My Grandfather Edward Jones served as a Marine Engineer on this boat and retired in the late 70"s. When I come to visit I would love to take a ride this,

hi, i had the honour and privilege to part of the brooklyn veterans group today on your vessel. met a terrific crew. thank you for having us on board. once again thank you for taking time out of your busy today, from a grateful oef combat veteran.

Great page, and thank your for the 9/11 page so that I can put faces to all the brothers who make the ultimate sacrifice.

I am in awe and very grateful to the members of the FDNY who put their life on the line day in an day out to protect the citizens of this great city. There can no more noble profession then that of a firefighter.

There are so many things in this life we can't predict or control.The one thing that definitely is predictable is in a moment of crisis the FDNY will move heaven and earth to help us.

Sadly the magnificent new fire boat 343 is named in honor of the men who put their lives on the line and lost them on 911. These were men with wives and children, with moms and dads, with sisters and brothers. They were men like us but not like us because they were men of uncommon valor and selflessness.

Next time you see a member of FDNY stop and and say thank you. In the future that same member may scramble up a ladder in an attempt to save your life while not thinking for a moment about his own.

New Yorkers must never forget the sacrifice of these men and their families on 9/11. We must never forget the sacrifices the front line members of the FDNY make daily.

One could argue that they get paid to do their job. One could argue that they knew the score when they joined. But can anyone of us imagine working with the stress and danger they face each time that alarm rings? Can anyone of us imagine walking in their boots? I know I can't.

May God keep the members of the FDNY in the palm of his hand and protect everyone of them.

Sail on 343 and each time you do you will honor the memory of those very fine men.

Thank you
A grateful New York State Citizen

My father, Roald L. Olsen,served as a Lieutenant and Captain on the Firefighter and the McKean (and other boats). In the early sixties he was also "tecnical advisor' for the then-being-designed R.F. Wagner. As a teenager in High School, (B'klyn Tech) and then college summers (Cornell)I had worked as a marine architect draftsman for H.Newton Whittelsey who had the design contract for that boat(they were located at 17 Battery Place). In 1958 Dad received an award for rescuing a Norwegian sailor from the East River when aboard the Smoke as Acting Batln Chief. Dad passed in the 80's.
At the tender age of 71,I
have fond memories of many of the boats and am certainly proud of his service.
G.Peter Olsen, Bellingham, WA

Never Forget 9/11 343

One of my first memories (4 months shy of my 5th birthday) was when this explosion occurred. I was with my mother and aunt on 13th avenue and 48th street (Borough Park) when the explosion broke all windows facing the blast. I remember the bump of the ground with the sound. I ran outside the store we were in and I saw a mushroom cloud rising quite fast and quite high. My mother thought it was a nuclear bomb going off and was quite concerned for a minute or two.

To this very day, that image of the explosion is imprinted in my mind.
For years, I thought this event occurred around 1957 or 1958.

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Hello Maine 1,

I just came unto the site and truly enjoyed it. The video of the restoration of the bow monitor brought back memories.
Especially the bilge alarm going off because of hole in the hull. Nothing changed with the old girl, she always needed attention. Say hello to Pilot Ed M for me and best of luck with 343.

My brother Tom and I spent a night on the McKean prior to her comissioning in 1954. Our father, retired Btn. Chief Edwin J. Byrnes, was a marine engineer at the time. He eventualy rose to Captain on Marine One. It was a very memorable occasion for us when reminiscing our childhood experiences.

Fair winds and following seas to the "343". Good luck with her.

Hi. I am coming to New York for the Tunnel To Towers run at the end of the month. Im hoping to come and see your new fire boat on my trip. Keep up the good work
Nikki x

Local 379 Marion, OH

hi dont mind my typing i never learnd to typ in englisch.
i am loking for the adres of a officer cold, steve ho gave me a tour on the hudson and the east river. i am one off the 2 fireman from belgium ho visitid the new york firedepartement on 26th of august. your boat gave a demo close to the statu off liberty i have bean trying to fone him but i cant get tru. he joind us for some food and drinks in the evening i dont now his last name but if you mail me back i could send you a picture please lit him mail me so i can thank him in person also me and bart wisch to thank you guys for the amazing pictures we have now becose you gave us a super demo by the statu lots off greatings from bart and johnny from the firedepartment off diksmuide in belgium

Retired Firefighter Greenville, Ohio Fire Department, IAFF Local 1101. 25 years on the job. Never Forget.

Hi, and thanks for this page.
My grandfather, Leonard Gebhard, was the captain of the William Gaynor, and later Chief of the Marine Division in the 1920s and 30s.
Best regards
glenn gebhard

To Bob, Pat, Jimmy and all the other guys at FDNY Marine 1, Thanks for the wreath and the donation for my grandson Kolton Brim Karnes. He was one special little boy. I showed him the pictures that I took last holloween at Marine 1. He thought the boat was really neat. He always said that he wanted to be a fire fighter like his PaPa. He wanted to fight fire and save lives. He's a fire fighter for God now, and a fine one he will be. Again thanks for everything ya'll did. God be with you all.
Terry

I think the homepage is good and the videos are very interisting


Dennis from Herten in Germany

12 years:-D:-D:-D:-D:-D

The Guys in New York would like to thank all the members of the Danville and Ringgold, Va. Fire Departments for wonderful time we had during our visit.

Really appreciate the dinner and support from you guys while up in NY for commissioning. It truly was an honor meeting all of you guys, hope to see you guys at fleet week.