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Paul A. Sweeney wasn't a Staten Island resident, but he was loved like one.
The firefighters at Engine 167/Ladder 87 in Annadale are evidence of that. While the late Sweeney -- a Pennsylvania resident -- is no longer around, they honored his memory yesterday by presenting his widow with a check for $11,000 that will go into college trust funds for the two small sons he left behind.
The firefighters presented the oversized check to Kristen Sweeney, who was surrounded by 60 well-wishers including family members, her two young sons, Sean, 4, and Ryan, 2, and firefighters from Engine 164/Ladder 84, Huguenot.
"I think it's awesome," said an overwhelmed Mrs. Sweeney, who lives in Lake Ariel, Pa. "People come into your life for a reason. It's great they did all this for Sean and Ryan and they've offered so much support and help. They are always calling, making sure I'm OK."
Sweeney, 32, was a career soldier and a Bronze Star recipient. Serving overseas as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom, he died on Oct. 30, 2003 of wounds he sustained during an ambush in Afghanistan.
But local firefighters may remember him best for his kindness and generosity when Sweeney and Sgt. 1st Class Blake Horst, both members of the Army Special Forces Group, Alpha Company, presented them with an American flag signed by their troops from Sweeney's first tour abroad. During his two-day visit in August 2003, Sweeney was made an honorary member of the firehouse.
The fundraiser was organized by firefighters Vinny D'Ovidio and Craig Chille. Chille said after Sweeney's unexpected visit, he and the men at the firehouse became brothers.
"There was an instant bond between them and us," he said. "And when we heard what happened we wanted to do something so we reached out to everyone in the firehouse and we decided to start this fundraiser."
To raise the money, the firefighters sold T-shirts in his memory. Chille said at first it was just within the firehouse, but once news of the project spread, it went citywide and then via the Internet it became international with orders coming from as far away as Italy, France and Germany. Chille said a total of 1,800 T-shirts were sold.
Marine Sgt. Thomas Sweeney, Paul Sweeney's brother, said, "I didn't realize what a bond he made with the firefighters until after he passed away but this is really awesome and these are a good group of guys."
The flag Sweeney presented to the firefighters -- now on display in a wooden-framed glass showcase in the firehouse along with other mementos -- took an amazing journey before ending up at the firehouse. It was originally given to Sweeney by Annadale resident Thomas O'Neill, a retired communications electrician with the city Fire Department, who found the flag lying in a Rossville street only weeks after Sept. 11. O'Neill, a friend of Sweeney's father-in-law, gave the flag to Sweeney to serve as inspiration for troops during his first tour to Afghanistan and Iraq in 2002.
Sweeney had been re-deployed on his second tour in Afghanistan when he was killed.
The firehouse is still accepting donations for Sweeney's sons. For more information or to make a donation, contact the firehouse or check the Web site at www.engine167ladder87.com.
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