Battalion Chief Billy Goldfelder’s Perspective, Loveland-Symmes Fire Department, Loveland, Ohio
I have been sitting here trying to describe what it’s been like to be back “home” in New York …. I could tell you a lot of stuff, but the media shows and reports plenty so you can derive your own feelings and thoughts. The bottom line is that the number of murdered brothers is approaching 400.
Here are just give a few thoughts from my angle:
Yesterday, I was helping coordinate the housing of about a dozen and a half visiting firefighters volunteering for non-heroic (but nonetheless important) duties, such as issuing gear. We showed them around some of the Long Island fire stations, where they were met like true Brothers. Members of the Manhasset-Lakeville, Great Neck Alerts, and Great Neck Vigilant Fire Companies made them all feel more than at home.
Note: The Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company is the home of Jon Ielpi, a missing member of FDNY Squad Company 288. Like many of the missing FDNY Brothers who also serve as volunteer firefighters, officers, and chiefs on Long Island and in other suburbs, Jonathan serves as the assistant fire chief of the Vigilants in his hometown when he’s not fighting fires in “the City.” (Late FDNY Chief Pete Ganci, for example, was a long-time member of the Farmingdale Fire Department; missing FDNY Captain Brian Hickey of Rescue Co. 4 is a former captain and current commissioner of the Bethpage VFD on Long Island; the list goes on …)
Jonathan is following in his Dad’s (Lee Ielpi) footsteps. Lee is a former chief of the Vigilants and a retired highly decorated hero of FDNY Rescue Co. 2. You’ve heard the expression: “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” That’s the case here. Both Lee and Jon (and the entire Ielpi family) are some of the sweetest, kindest, funniest, most caring and heroic people you have ever met.
When we left the Alert’s firehouse, we stopped at a bridge in Great Neck, where a makeshift memorial has been set up. It was incredible. This bridge (near the Saddle Rock Grist Mill) had a special place in my childhood. There were do many people paying tribute, lighting hundreds of candles, and showing their respect and hope for Great Neck’s hometown hero Jon Ielpi as well as the others who are missing.
From this small, two-lane bridge, we had a clear view of the murder site, with the smoke rising over the New York horizon, 15 miles away. It was beyond words….
I have attended several community candlelight services; several more are planned…. More of the Brothers’ names are being announced. More funerals will be scheduled. Like you, we are hoping and are awaiting word on every one of our Brothers ….
Take care. Without HOPE, we have nothing.
