SI Advance

"We make sure we take care of our own," said Ladder 78 Capt. John Graziano. "The first thing I told him was, 'Don't worry about anything. Stay focused on your job and we will take care of your family.'"

That made it easier for Trentalange to leave his wife, Dawn, and their daughter, Farrah, 2, in South Beach.

"It gave me peace of mind and allowed me to focus on my mission in Iraq," said Trentalange, 39, a firefighter with Ladder 78 who is home on leave until Saturday.

Yesterday, he visited his colleagues in the Brighton Avenue firehouse to thank them, but they had something else in mind: To recognize him for service to city and country.

With his family at his side, Trentalange accepted the Advance's Firefighter of the Month Award in honor of his brothers -- the ones here at home and the ones still in Iraq.

"Deciding to become a member of New York's Bravest is not an easy choice," said Advance Assignment Editor James Yates in presenting a savings bond for Farrah. "In today's world of uncertainty, it also takes a lot of courage to decide you want to serve your country."

The award typically honors local firefighters for their heroics at home.

"This is a little different for us, but it's very important to us," said Assistant Chief Thomas Haring, the FDNY borough commander. "This is because of what he is doing for his country."

Trentalange, a member of the Fire Department for six years, was deployed for Iraq in October with the Manhattan-based 42nd Infantry Division, 1st Battalion, 69th Regiment, immortalized as New York's Fighting 69th.

He serves as an adviser to the Iraqi Army and as a liaison between American and Iraqi soldiers.

Trentalange enlisted in the Marine Corps out of Susan Wagner High School. About six years ago, a Marine buddy convinced him to return to his military roots by joining the Guard.

Trentalange was activated for eight months after the Sept. 11 attacks -- he responded minutes after the second tower collapsed -- to help beef up security at West Point.

But nothing could have prepared him for Iraq. "The conditions are harsh," he said, "and the threat is real." So is the heat.

"It's like being in a fire with all your bunker gear on -- constantly," he said. "It's almost like you can't drink enough water."

Trentalange has been home since early June. Spending time with his wife and daughter is his top priority.

"She was barely 1 when I left. ... She walked the day after I left. My wife e-mailed me pictures of her development, but it still didn't prepare me for actually seeing her and being with her."

Before long, Farrah remembered her place as daddy's little girl.

"She knew who he was," Mrs. Trentalange said. "You don't forget."