THE FOLLOWING IS AN ARTICLE THAT APPEARED IN THE BELLMORE HERALD ABOUT THE STREET DEDICATION IN HONOR OF FF. KEVIN M. PRIOR:

Street named for a true hero
By Linda Delmonico-Prussen June 12, 2003

Rain fell gently as about 150 people gathered last Saturday for a street dedication ceremony to honor firefighter Kevin Prior, who died while trying to save others during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Prior, a six-year member of the New York City Fire Department, was 28 at the time of his death.
With the melancholic sound of a single bagpipe, the procession of family members and fellow firefighters who had come to remember Prior headed down Harbor View Court in Bellmore, where he lived. Then, as if on cue, the rain ceased, umbrellas were closed, and the dedication ceremony began.
Harbor View Court became a sea of blue uniforms as Prior's brothers from the Bellmore and New York City fire departments filled the intersection. The firefighters stood in formation across the street from Bellmore's Engine 601, the truck named for Prior in September 2002. The crowd stood silently as Sister William Noreen Reilly, of St. Barnabas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Bellmore, gave a short invocation.
Kathleen Murray, the Town of Hempstead supervisor, opened the ceremony, calling Prior "a true American hero." She added, "Prior to September 11, people thought there were no modern heroes."
Murray recalled Prior's service to the community as a Bellmore firefighter. He had joined the department at age 14. He was also a Knights of Columbus member.
Town Councilwoman Angelina Cullin said, "Kevin grew up on this street, and it's only appropriate his name be forever tied to this road."
Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg said he was fortunate to have known Prior. "When he would smile, he would just light up the room," Denenberg said. "When I look at this sign, I'm going to remember Kevin. When you look at this sign, smile a bit."
Peter Schmalenberg, Bellmore Fire Department chief, said of Prior, "He loved what he did. His dedication to our department was phenomenal."
In the department, Prior rose to lieutenant and served as a trainer, and his expertise is sorely missed, said Schmalenberger. "There isn't a day that goes by that we don't think of him," the chief said.
Lt. Robert Chuisano, of the New York City Fire Department, was transferred to Special Operations Squad 252 in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, where Prior was already a member, in May 1998. Chuisano spoke of Prior's great compassion, and the comfort he offered before Sept. 11 when Chuisano lost a close friend.
Prior's mother, Marion, wondered aloud what her son would have thought about the street dedication. She said, "He'd be elbowing whoever he was with, saying, 'How about that? My street!'"
Marion Prior said she missed hearing the fire scanner that her son kept at home. And she spoke about the pride he felt in his career as a Bellmore volunteer and New York City professional firefighter. Firefighting "was his passion," she said. "He gave it his all."
The Rev. Peter Dooley, pastor of St. Barnbas, offered the closing benediction. Then, as the bagpipe played its final notes, the rain returned.
©Herald Community 2003

ALSO ABOUT THE STREET DEDICATION, FROM THE BELLMORE LIFE:

Street dedication remembers Kevin Prior

by Douglas Finlay

Mepham school newspaper advisor Richard Perry's insightful words to journalism students that the World Trade Center collapse was indeed the news event of our time, resonated once more throughout Bellmore.

Neighbors, Bellmore and North Bellmore firefighters, and local elected officials joined to witness the unveiling of Kevin M. Prior Court – the cul-de-sac also known as Harbor View Court – where Mr. Prior, a New York City firefighter and Bellmore Fire Department lieutenant, who died saving others during the World Trade Center collapse, lived and was raised.

The new street unveiling marked the 14th such event the Town of Hempstead has held in remembrance of those who gave their lives on September 11, 2001.

"It's important that we never forget the heroes who gave their lives on September 11, but also that we can go on from here. We hope that dedicating this street in Mr. Prior's name can bring some measure of comfort to family and friends and to other fellow firefighters," remarked Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray. "It can become a visual reminder to those who knew Mr. Prior to help them remember the kind of person he was."

Town Councilwoman Angie Cullin, instrumental in getting the street name changed, told those assembled at the dedication that because Mr. Prior grew up on Harborview Court, "It is only appropriate that the street be forever linked to him." She too hoped the dedication would provide healing to the family.

Added New York State Assemblyman Dave McDonough, "It's unfortunate that we're here, but perhaps also very appropriate because it's important that memories of Mr. Prior never be forgotten."

Taking the podium, Marian Prior, Mr. Prior's mother, first announced, "What a special day today is." She then told the hushed gathering, "Kevin lived his whole life here on Harborview Court. When he was a little boy he raced to this very corner when the firehorns would go off and watch as the fire engines screamed along Bellmore Avenue. Naming Harbor View Court in his honor is a wonderful, meaningful tribute" to the whole family. She said the new street sign would remind her everyday that "firefighter Kevin M. Prior gave all on September 11, 2001."

"Thank you," she told the silent crowd, "for remembering."

Jeanine Reppenhagen, long-time friend of Mr. Prior who attended both Holy Trinity High School and C.W. Post with him, and who came from Levittown to attend the ceremony, said, "I'm very proud of Kevin, and happy that they're doing this for him, as well as for his family." Tanya Pangallo, another friend from West Hempstead, agreed with Ms. Reppenhagen that it was indeed the appropriate thing to do to maintain his memory.

Neighbors on Harborview Court who asked their names not be given said it was an honor to live on the same block as Mr. Prior, that their daughters had gone to school with him and that he was always very caring and considerate toward those on the block. "He was always the first one there for us if anything went wrong," remarked one neighbor.

Another remembered his days as a busboy at McCluskey's Steak House. Still another neighbor said, when learning of Mr. Prior's involvement at the WTC: "I knew he was with an emergency unit in Brooklyn and that many firemen were being trapped in the buildings, but I remained hopeful for a good outcome," because of Mr. Prior's firefighting skills and character.

After the ceremony Bellmore firefighter Cornelius Macguire, who worked with Mr. Prior, said "Kevin would be proud to have a street named after him." He also said that remembrances such as this one bring back the hurt the department and all firefighters feel about friends they lost that September 11. "It never goes away," he said.

Nassau County legislator Dave Denenberg said he had met Mr. Prior several times during fund-raising activities, remembering quite well that "Kevin's smile could light up a room."

Bellmore Fire Department's Chief Peter Schmalenburger also said after the ceremony that the department was exploring the idea of dedicating rooms such as the training room and recreation room in the new fire house being built on Pettit Avenue to both Mr. Prior and Adam Rand, another Bellmore firefighter who gave his life in the World Trade Center collapse so others could live.

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