This Father’s Day we remember the many sacrifices fathers make for their children and families. On 9/11, many fathers went to work like any other day to provide a better life for their loved ones.On Father’s Day, June 17, 2001, Rescue Company 4 in Queens suffered a loss of two firefighters in a hardware store fire. Capt. Brian Hickey suffered injuries that caused him to stay out on medical leave until September 5, 2001.
Hickey’s children (l-r) Kevin Hickey, Jaclyn LaBarbera, Dennis Hickey (d. 2011), Daniel Hickey
On only his second tour back to work since the Father’s Day fire, Brian, then a father of four, was called to the World Trade Center on 9/11. He died amongst many other fathers that day.
Almost 14 years later, his children have grown to adults. The youngest graduated from college this spring. Hickey would have been a grandfather to four young children. The names of many fathers are etched in bronze on the 9/11 Memorial. This is just one story of many. There is so much to learn about strength, courage and fearlessness from our fathers.
By Angela Sheridan, Director of Web and Digital Strategy