Dear John,
As you may recall, the captain of your Ladder Co. 3 asked you to see if you could help me find out about William McNally, a maternal great grandfather, who was said to have been a NY fireman and who died in the line of duty around 1900. I had sent a letter which he passed on to you. You found our family hero in the archives of the company, as well as on a plaque on the wall of the station house. You sent email about what you had found, you called us and talked with my husband and myself, you sent a lovely note with copies of old NY Times accounts, and you invited us to your station house and even to your home. You did more than I ever expected. I have kept your emails and your letters in my research binder, always meaning to find the time to get to the station house to meet you and see the plaque of our fallen hero, William McNally.
It was the morning of Sept. 12th that I tracked down the NYFD Help Line and, with trepidation, asked the fireman who answered about your whereabouts. His answer to me was what I had dreaded. Apparently it was obvious from my voice because he added a final “Hang in there.”
For days I waited, like so many others, for some definite word. A cousin’s friend, who lives in lower Manhattan, went to Ladder Co. 3 for me. She reported that 12 of the 25 fire fighters had been lost and that there was an assistance fund for the families. I called the station house and talked with Doug DiGeorgio and Steve Gonzales. I notified other family members and I sent a check asking that it go your family. In addition, I compiled the information that you had provided into a page on a web site that I have developed for our family history, I added a tribute to you, and I dedicated the page to both you and William McNally.
In closing, let me belatedly thank you, John, for all your help. You were a hero to me long before Sept. 11. I regret never having made it to thank you in person at the stationhouse. I’m determined to visit there now.
Sincerely yours,
Kathy Detrano

Back to John's Home Page