Battalion
Chief Charles Kasper
Special Operations
Memorial
Service was held
on September 28, 2001
This
page is dedicated to Charles Kasper.
Brother, you are always in our hearts and our thoughts. You
have been an inspiration to us and we will try to live up to
the high standard that you have set.
You will never be forgotten.
from
the brothers and sisters of NYRRT-1
Granddaddy's
Trains
Last
year at Christmastime, Deputy Chief Charles L. Kasper of the
Fire Department's Special Operations Command went out and bought
a set of trains. They were not for his 425-person division,
which races to the scene whenever there is a major catastrophe
and already owns a huge collection of red-painted fire trucks,
fireboats and other exciting toys for grown-ups. No, they were
for his grandson, but when the chief linked the track pieces
into a circle and sent the locomotive huffing and whistling
around it, Dylan, then only 7 months old, was too young to appreciate
the spectacle. Never mind, thought Chief Kasper. There's always
next year. On Sept. 11, the 54-year-old veteran of dozens of
rescues was having a day off when he heard about the World Trade
Center attacks. He scrambled into a spare fire engine parked
near his home in Staten Island and sped to the towers. He had
a motto: "Drive it like it's stolen," recalled Jim
Ellson, a retired captain. Recently Chief Kasper's wife, Laureen,
and their children unpacked the trains, set them up the same
way he had and watched while Dylan reacted with delight. "We
say that he's playing with Granddaddy," who was "always
on duty for his family," Mrs. Kasper said. "And we
know that Charlie's circle will always encircle us." Profile
published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on December 9, 2001. KASPER-Charles
L. Deputy Chief, F.D.N.Y. Beloved husband of Laureen. Devoted
father of Melissa and Mark Friedman, Kara Kasper and Michael.
Adoring ''Granddaddy'' to Dylan Friedman. A 28 year veteran
of the F.D.N.Y. Recently promoted to Deputy Chief. He reported
in from his home the morning of the World Trade Center disaster.
Chief Kasper arrived at the Command Post prior to the collapse.
He was last seen directing Fire Operations in the North Tower.
There will be a memorial service in his honor on Friday September
28, 2001 at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 1000 Richmond Terrace
at Snug Harbor on Staten Island. Paid notice published in THE
NEW YORK TIMES on September 26, 2001.
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