by JONATHAN LEMIRE
Two city heroes who died a long way from home will be remembered tonight by their fellow cops and firefighters.
Firefighter Christian Engeldrum and Police Officer James McNaughton, who were killed while serving in Iraq, will be honored at a charity rugby match organized by the Fire Department's Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter.
The third annual game - which pits the Police Department against the Fire Department - is expected to raise thousands of dollars for charities handpicked by the families of McNaughton and Engeldrum, as well as the Wounded Warriors fund for injured soldiers.
"This is a great event which brings together both the fire and police communities in the remembrance of our fallen brothers," said Firefighter Billy Hayes of Ladder 45 in Washington Heights, who being deployed to Afghanistan in three weeks.
Engeldrum, 39, a firefighter at Ladder 61 in Co-op City and a sergeant in the National Guard, became the first city employee to die in Iraq when he was killed Nov. 29, 2004, during a roadside attack in Baghdad.
McNaughton, 27, a NYPD Transit Bureau cop who enlisted in the Army Reserve, was shot by a sniper near the Iraqi capital Aug. 2, 2005.
The slain heroes will be honored in a ceremony that will strongly resonate with members of the FDNY VFW - all city firefighters who have served in conflicts from Vietnam to Iraq.
"The toughest part of going to war is actually when you come back home and you see the families whose worst nightmare has come true," said Capt. John Gormley of FDNY Division 6 in the Bronx.
"No one can ever repay the debt we owe them," added Gormley, a Navy commander who delivered FDNY-themed school supplies to children in Afghanistan this year. "So we do our best to honor them by never forgetting their loved ones."
The game will be held at Gaelic Park, Broadway and W.242nd St. in the Bronx, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to bring donations.
 |
