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For months, a patriotic banner has flown outside a Bronx firehouse reminding New Yorkers: "We Support Our Troops - FF Engeldrum L-61 Now Serving."
Late yesterday afternoon, the banner came down.
In its place, firefighters raised the solemn purple-and-black bunting reserved for the city's Bravest who make the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives in the line of duty.
Christian (Drum) Engeldrum, 39, was killed Monday afternoon while patrolling Baghdad with his Army National Guard Unit.
"There's nothing you can say, other than here's somebody who risked his life every day to protect us on the streets of New York, and felt he had an obligation ... to go overseas and to fight to protect the rest of us," Mayor Bloomberg said shortly after calling Engeldrum's widow, Sharon.
"All of us have lost something," the mayor said.
Thirty city firefighters are on active duty in the U.S. armed forces. Engeldrum was the first of them to lay down his life in the war.
His death stunned the firefighters of Ladder 61.
"He was dedicated at everything he did; he gave nothing less than 100%," said Ladder 61 Firefighter Mike Schiraldi. "He was the guy you wanted behind you in a fire."
"He was a true soldier," said Firefighter Mark Klinger, who was among the men who helped remodel Engeldrum's home while he was fighting in Iraq.
"He was the core of our apple," Schiraldi said. "He was our go-to guy."
Engeldrum's bunker gear was displayed in his honor at the back of the firehouse as Co-op City residents paid their respects outside where Engeldrum's photo, flanked by two votive candles, leaned against a framed U.S. flag.
Engeldrum had sent the flag to his Army National Guard unit in 2002, while they were fighting in Afghanistan. The soldiers signed the flag and sent it back to the firehouse, where Engeldrum treasured it before being deployed.
"No one tried to talk him out of it," Schiraldi said, "because no one could have."
Engeldrum started his civil service career as an NYPD cop. He became a firefighter in 1999 and earned an FDNY citation for a rescue a year later, according to FDNY Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta.
"My deepest condolences go out to the Engeldrum family at this tremendous loss," Scoppetta said. "Christian served his country well in the armed services, as a police officer and firefighter.
"His commitment to serving his country sets the example for all of us," the commissioner added. "He will be greatly missed by this department and by all who had the honor of knowing him." |
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