September 11, 2006

Tribute To A Hero- One of the 2996 Heros of 9-11

Firefighter Thomas Mingione 132 Ladder 38th Brooklyn Battallion.


Hymn: "Christ in the Rubble"

O Christ, beneath the fallen stones,
Nailed fast to twisted bars of steel
And slain in flesh and blood and bones,
Peirced by the fear all mortals feel.
Arise, from ashes dust and death,
And breathe into crushed hearts new Breath!

O Christ, among the wreckage shorn,
Of hope for those that lie there dead
Yet bathed in sweat of labors borne
To free the greiving from their dread.
Arise from our dispair's long night
And pour upon us Living Light!

O Christ, within a world at war,
Where love and hate fight for the soul,
And all sights trained on death see far
But only Love can see the whole:
Arise from unforgiving pain,
And teach us how to love again!

words by Geneveive Glen OSB c 2001
sung to the tune of
"Eternal Father, Strong To Save"

What makes a hero? There are many definitions of this noble title, and we tend to use it haphazzardly. But on September 11, 2001 the name hero gained a face that will be forever remembered by Americans. The face of the First Responder. The Fireman, the Policeman, the Priest...

The Bible says..."Greater love does not exisit in the heart of any person, than that of one who will lay down their life for another..."
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Battallion Patch of the 132 Ladder FDNY

Thomas Mingione was a man in the prime of his life. Serving his quiet community in Long Island for a number of years as a firefighter, he found that this duty was not what he was truly called to do. Rather than sit comfortably with occasional calls,in his quiet hometown Long Island neighborhood, he chose to transfer to the 132 Ladder battalion in a underserved part of Brooklyn in the year 2000.

This change was not without risk. Thomas was newly married, and soon a child was on the way. He was away from home more, and in harms way much more. But as a professional seasoned firefighter, risk was just another part of the job discription. He was up to the challenge, "at the top of his game" a family member quotes in a short obituary tribute.

When the call came, that mettle that was tried,as Thomas and his comrades from the 132nd Ladder sped toward the burning Towers. When the Towers fell many of these men were still inside the building trying to get as many people out as they could. Thomas died in the line of duty along with fellow firefighters from his unit.

Andrew Jordan
Michael Kiefer
John Vigiano II
Sergio Villanueva
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Honor Guard at the dedication to the Babylon Town Memorial 9-11-2005

Thomas was survived by his wife and, according to tribute found on a website, a infant daughter born a few weeks after the attack..."she is an angel and looks just like you, Tommy...how we miss you...." I have been unable to learn their names, and perhaps this fufills their desire to remain out of the public light. I have found no mention of a public memorial service, and, perhaps the home filled with memories was sold and mother and daughter moved to a new community to start a new life where they would not be the subject of staring. The little girl will be starting kindergarten this week, and yet another milestone will pass without the presence of a father. Yet another reminder of the losses suffered on that terrible day
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Babylon Town 9-11 Memorial

Beneath bright blue skies that were reminiscent of the morning of September 11, 2001, approximately 500 people gathered at Overlook Beach for the unveiling of the Babylon Town 9/11 Memorial dedicated to the lives of 48 people from Babylon who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks including Peter O'Neil and Louise Lynch.
The event was attended by many officials including Congressman Steve Israel, S.C. Exec. Steve Levy, Assemblyman Robert Sweeney, Sen. Owen Johnson, S.C. Leg. David Bishop. The name of each individual was read by Babylon Town Supervisor Steve Bellone, together with the inscription etched into an amber piece of marble. The reading of each name was followed by the ring of a single bell that broke the silence and interrupted the sound of the wind and the water nearby.
Those residents who lost their lives and who are memorialized are: , Thomas Mingione, and many others
taken from the Babylon Beacon News 9-15-2005

"We will never forget you, Tommy!"... may we all echo those loving words in our hearts...may we never forget the heros of 9-11!