Comments:
From: Bob Frash, submitted: 11/07/2001 7:27:37 PM -
I
knew Pat years ago when we were just five or six years old. He
and his brother Mike and my brother Frank and I used to play together
in Queens Village, NY. He was a fire hound even then. He would
here the fire alarm go off where we lived and out the door he
would go. Who would have known then that I was playing with a
real-life hero. I always knew he was a great guy. I shouldn't
be surprised. The last time I saw Pat he had just gotten out of
basic training in the Marines. We were at a party and some guy
there was making trouble. I was probably sixteen years old then
and so impressed with Pat as a tough Marine that I suggested he
drag this fool out and beat him up. Although it would not have
been a problem for Pat, as usual, he showed maturity and pose.
He calmed me down and told me to have respect for my elders. I
never saw him after that but I would continue to read about him
saving one life after another; pulling people out of burning buildings.
They say real life is always grander than fiction. Pat Brown is
proof positive of that!
From:
Lola Antun, submitted: 11/08/2001 6:34:39 PM
I've known Pat Brown and his family (almost) my entire life. They
are a family of heros. Pat's dad, John, had a distingushed career
with FBI, his late mother, Ruth, valiantly fought a battle with
breast cancer and fought it with great bravery. His brother Michael,
was a firefighter also and went to medical school in his spare
time while working with the FDNY. He is now working as an emergency
room doctor (not a place for the timid) and is a hero like his
brother but saving lives in different. Pat's sister, Carolyn,
fights a daily fight with debilitating diabetes which has left
her unable to work but her spirit is always cheerful - another
brave Brown. So it's no surprise Pat is/was a hero - he comes
from a long line of them. Pat died how he lived - putting others
before himself. It is fitting that he should die in the biggest
disaster to ever hit NY and America any other way would have been
beneath him. Goodbye Pat - thanks for the honor of knowing you.
From:
John Cahill, submitted: 03/29/2002 2:56:53 PM
I
first become aware of Capt. Pat Brown from reading an article
in Yoga Journal in which he was featured. To say that I was moved
after reading the article would be an understatement. Obviously,
I didn't know Pat Brown personally, but from all the articles
that I have read about him since the first one, I gather that
He was a man who did things with a passion. Some of his quotes
about his personal experiences with yoga were inspiring. Pat Brown
appears to have been a wonderful person and A true hero. We should
all live our lives as passionately as Pat appeared to have. This
year, I will be participating in my first marathon, the 106th
Boston. I will be thinking about Pat Brown as I participate. From:
jason emery, submitted: 08/26/2002 12:29:38 AM E-mail: steffjay@cs.com
What a brave firefighter he was. He gave firefighters like myself
the courage to help others. You will never be forgotten in your
live saving dities in heaven thank you jason kingston city fire
dept kingston, ny 12401
From:
Theresa Greenhill, submitted: 09/02/2002 11:24:08 PM
God Bless Firefighter Pat Brown. I didn't know him, but I watched
the CBS Special w/Firefighter Moran (i believe that is his name)
from Engine 5 in the Village. He spoke highly of Pat Brown, and
they showed some nice rescue clips of him. Then I learned that
he died in the WTC disaster. He is now with God and all the other
brave souls of 9/11.... God Bless him... he is in Heaven smiling
upon those he loved. God Bless the Brown Family.
From: Felise , submitted: 09/07/2002 8:30:31 AM
Lokaha Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu May all beings everywhere be happy
and free Fall of 2002 has arrived, the leaves will soon change,
the energy of New York City will begin to pick up and reminders
of Sept 11th will flood our memories, as we reflect, let us pray
for peace. A special heart filled thought goes to Captain Patrick
Brown who I miss and think of daily, may he fly with God, may
all those who perished, their friends and families find peace.
Last year at this time I was practicing yoga with Pattabhi Jois
for the month of September that particular morning we had moved
to Chelsea Piers. I just finished practicing with a large group
of yogis and went for tea with a fellow yoga teacher. The cafe
window faced the twin towers, right before the first plane hit
I gazed upward and as I did, I thought that plane is flying very
low then I observed both planes collide into the world trade center
and eventually the collapse of both buildings. I remained stranded
at Chelsea Piers for a few hours unable to move my car later I
went to Jivamukti and taught a yoga class that evening. Most of
us where uncomfortable but grateful to have a yoga studio where
we could practice together in satsang. I had been naïve to think
I would never witness war however there it was before me, just
a few city blocks away as I watched helplessly in dismay and shock.
That night I called Patrick to say "let me know your ok" unfortunately
the phone call was never returned. At the funeral I heard Patrick
was told to evacuate but Patrick said “are you nuts we have a
job to do”, next he was heard calling for a gurney. Often in yoga
class Patrick and I would practice in the back of the room and
one day I remember saying to him, Patty if there is a fire in
the building, show me the way out!…..I new he would do what he
has always done…….. try to save lives. The events of September
11th propelled my desire to read and study the Bagavad Gita, because
of its reference to war I had resistance toward the text, now
I find Arjunas struggle gives me hope and understanding. In the
Bagavad Gita "Arjuna calls for compassion as he is faced with
battle, the answer he receives from Krishna is, “don’t go without
complete commitment for this is a lack of strength in your heart,
so stand up”! His mind is muddled with confusion as he throws
himself at the feet of his teachers and begs for their blessing
to fight them. Krishna instructs Arjuna to go beyond his confusion
for he must see that pleasure and pain are not different he must
see that limitations and lack of limitations are the same and
that the keen one is ready for deathlessness. Krishna says listen
up yogi I am going to teach you to awaken. Then you shall never
be conflicted by the limitation on action or the bonds of karma.
No energy is wasted in the action of practice of a buddi yogi
and this shall carry you over great fear. You must be single-minded,
be firm in your purpose and do not waiver. The chittam (fluctuations)
of the mind will bind you so clarify the inside of your mind".
I was not prepared for the everlasting imprint of Patrick’s life
on my heart as well as the events of September 11th . Patrick
and I frequently spoke before yoga class and shared our own personal
life stories. When I invited him to attend the teachers graduation
at Jivamukti, he was sure to be there, he said "I need the right
date Felise so I can get the guys at the firehouse to cover me
that night". He sat in the front of the room with so much sincerity,
it was so sweet to have him there. I once said to Patrick you
should become a Yoga teacher and he shyly replied, "I cant even
touch my toes" but in my eyes he was far more of a yogi then he
knew. This month I dedicate my practice as a student and teacher
to Captain Brown of FDNY, a friend and yogi.
From:
Rosemary McKenna, submitted: 09/13/2002 5:50:18 PM
The Captain Patrick J. Brown walk way was dedicated this morning.
The walk way is located at East 18th Street and Avenue C along
side the East River.
From:
Renn Leech, submitted: 09/14/2002 10:56:15 PM
I
just wanted to say that I received my memorial bracelet today
and the name of Capt. Patrick Brown of FDNY Ladder 3 was inscribed
on it. Capt. Brown will now help me to remember them all.
Thanks
From: Adele Rubenstein, submitted: 09/17/2002 11:46:13 PM
I just found out about Patrick on September 11, 2002 when I was
watching TV in the morning and over heard a tribute to him. I
met Patrick while taking Karate and we studied together fron white
belt to black. I have sinced moved from New York to Florida and
I have thought of him often because I knew of his dedication to
New York City and I always knew that he was the first one to arrive
at any disasters in the New York area. He was a great friend and
I hoped for the past year that he was not one of the victims.
The city has lossed a truly wonderful,loving, and brave individual
and he touched so many lives in so many ways. Patrick, I will
always remember our times together in Karate class and I am truly
blessed for having the opportunity to have met you and practiced
our karate together for 4 yours.
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