Queens Tribune.com: http://www.queenstribune.com/archives/featurearchive/feature2002/0912/feature_story.html Finding A Smile After 9/11 By Robert Trotta Here is my story about my hero, my cousin, Thomas Farino. On Sept. 11, 2001, many people lost their lives while trying to save others . . . As sad as I was and remain about the entire tragedy and the personal fact that I lost a family relative – my cousin Mary’s husband, Battalion Chief Thomas Farino of the New York City Fire Department – I have to say that I find myself smiling up at the sky. Why? Because there is a new hero in my life that I salute each day I wake up. As a teacher at John Adams High School in Ozone Park, I have told and continue to tell my students about Tom. He is the person I admire, one of the incredibly brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice that tragic day in order to help and save the lives of others. On the one-year anniversary of the World Trade Center disaster, I will proudly be teaching with a picture of Tom clipped on to my shirt. . . . Tom grew up, in fact, in Ozone Park. The son of a police officer, Tom’s destiny also put him in the city service, first with the NYPD for two years, and then as a firefighter. At Engine Company 302 in Ozone Park, Tom was promoted to Lieutenant, and later was placed at Engine Company 26, in Midtown Manhattan. At Engine 26, the ambitious and dedicated firefighter was promoted to Captain. It was while working at this engine company that Tom was called to respond to the attack at the World Trade Center. It was here where Tom and 342 other firefighters/brothers showed the utmost courage and unselfishness. Tom was posthumously promoted to battalion chief. Tom’s wife Mary, and their two children, Jane and Jimmy, are currently collaborating with others on the construction of a playground at the John Pearl Elementary School located in the family’s home community of Bohemia, Long Island. The colors chosen for the playground - expected to be completed in October - are red, white, and blue. The playground, which is being funded by the Thomas Farino Memorial Fund, will give students the opportunity to learn physical skills, in addition to providing a place for children to enjoy time with their families and friends. I’m sure Tom is smiling down on Mary, Jane, and Jimmy. I know he’ll be smiling down on the playground...And I am positive that I’ll keep smiling up into the sky, giving a thumbs up to Battalion Chief Thomas Farino, a loving father and husband, and a true hero. Thank you, Tom. I love you.