Thousands of people lined up to salute two firefighters and the department’s beloved chaplain yesterday as New York’s Bravest braced for a long string of farewells to fallen comrades.
They packed three area churches to mourn the deaths of First Deputy Commissioner William Feehan, Chief of Department Peter Ganci and chaplain the Rev. Mychal Judge – who all died Tuesday when the World Trade Center collapsed on them.
The three are “casualties of war,” Mayor Giuliani said last night. “They’re like the casualties we had at Pearl Harbor. Those are wartime casualties by anyone’s description.”
An estimated 300 firefighters were killed in the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers, many of whom are still stuck in the rubble, while hundreds more continue to sift through the wreckage looking for survivors.
On any other day, a firefighter killed in the line of duty would draw thousands of The Bravest in spiffy blue uniforms and white gloves, but only dozens were able to attend yesterday’s services – a testament to the backbreaking, round-the-clock work that is still keeping their colleagues at ground zero.
But civilians came out in droves. More than 1,000 mourners crammed into St. Mel’s Roman Catholic Church in Jamaica, Queens, to honor 70-year-old First Deputy Fire Commissioner William Feehan, who held every possible rank within the department during his 42-year career.
“He could have been anything, but he was a firefighter,” said Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen.
“I can’t tell you how much he meant to me. He cannot be replaced. Someone will take his job, but it won’t be anyone like Chief Feehan. It will be very hard for us, but I’ll get through it – we’ll all get through it.”
Giuliani, who received a minute-long round of thunderous applause when he was called to speak, said Feehan was “one of the most exceptional people that ever served the city.”
“This is a terrible tragedy for the city. This is the worst attack ever on our city,” he said. “We really miss Bill. This is a time we really need him.”
Giuliani also applauded Feehan for his military service during the Korean War, where the decorated firefighter was honored with a National Defense Service Medal, and his four decades helping save people in the city.
“He served in a war and he ultimately died in a war here on the streets of New York City,” Giuliani said. “He fought some of the city’s worst fires and he died in the worst attack ever on the city.”
The mayor also unleashed harsh words for the “miserable cowards” who unleashed their fury on Manhattan.
“I shouldn’t say this in a church, but we’re not going to let [them] kill our spirits. They just can’t,” he said.
Earlier in the day, hundreds packed St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Midtown to remember the Rev. Mychal Judge, who died when debris from the Twin Towers came crashing down on him as he was administering last rites to a firefighter.
The 68-year-old Brooklyn-born Franciscan priest – affectionately known to many as Father Mike – had removed his hat to pray when he was hit. He was remembered yesterday for his many acts of selfless service during an especially eloquent and at times laughter-filled Mass.
“We come to bury his voice but not his spirit, his hands but not his works, his heart but not his love,” said fellow Franciscan Father Michael Duffy, adding that Judge would now be able to welcome fellow firefighters to heaven.
“Mychal Judge will be on the other side of death to greet them. He’ll greet them with that big Irish smile and say, ‘Hello, welcome. I want to take you to my Father.'”
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), who was accompanied by former President Bill Clinton and their daughter, Chelsea, said Judge was very dedicated to the department and “died doing what he was called to do.”
Bill Clinton also praised Father Mike for all his work within the department and for the “joy he felt at being a Catholic priest.”
“It’s a rebuke to the act of hatred and violence against the City of New York, the Pentagon and the American people,” he said.
The day’s last funeral was at St. Killian’s Roman Catholic Church in Farmingdale, L.I., where the echoing sound of bagpipes saluted 54-year-old Chief of Department Peter Ganci. Hundreds packed the church and countless others stood outside listening on loudspeakers to an homage to the fallen hero.
“Pete’s example will inspire America. Our Fire Department is exceptional,” Giuliani said. “They take their own lives and put them at risk to save other people. He’s not gone. He’s with us – guiding us.”
Giuliani also encouraged firefighters to stay positive, despite the tragedy, as the department rebuilds.
“I’m very confident. I look at the FD and they took 300 men or more, but the reality is that we will be stronger. There are 11,000 more of you left.”
IN MEMORIAN
William Feehan, 70 First Deputy Fire Commissioner, Long Island City, Queens
Survived by his daughters Elizabeth and Tara, sons John and William and six grandchildren – Siobhan, Kelsey, Connor, William, Virginia and Kelly.
Rev. Mychal Judge, 68 Fire Department chaplain, Brooklyn
Survived by twin sister Dymphna, and sister Erin McTernan.
Peter Ganci, 54 FDNY Chief of department, Farmingdale, L.I.
Survived by his wife Kathleen, sons Peter and Christopher and daughter Danielle.