Changed by 9/11: Tessie Hunter

Joe showed early signs of fascination with the fire department. He began to notice the fire siren that went off daily at 6 p.m. At 4 years old, he would race his Big Wheel to the corner of our block with the hopes of catching a glimpse of the shiny, red truck with its screaming sirens. As Joe grew older, he would follow the trucks as far as he was allowed to go by bicycle.

When he turned 10, a new family moved into the neighborhood. Lucky for Joe, the family had a son who became Joe's best friend. Even better, his friend's father was a firefighter, as well as a member of a local fire department's old-fashioned racing team. The races were held every Saturday, and Joe and his friends made it to most of them, year after year.

At 11, Joe had his own team practicing in the driveway and backyard. A group of Joe's neighborhood buddies, along with a little red wagon, Dad's ladder, a garden hose and the shed, were used to recreate the action in the racing tournaments.

When he was 18, Joe joined the South Hempstead Fire Department as a volunteer. Now, it was Joe's turn to fulfill his dream and to race for the team. Joe did so for 13 years.

While attending Hofstra University in 1994, Joe took the written FDNY exam. Joe knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life; he wanted to be a NYC firefighter. He referred to this dream as "his baby." He entered the academy and October of 1995 and graduated on Jan. 16, 1996. 

As a member of Squad 288 in Maspeth Queens, he received specialized training in areas like confined space rescue, collapse rescue and terrorism. He was referred to by another firefighter in his group as being, "the sharpest guy I have ever worked with."

Joe lost his life at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. He died because of intolerance and hatred, in an act of terrorism. Joe was not known by the evil people that wished to harm Americans that day. He was a beloved son, an adoring loving brother, an uncle and Godfather, a brother-in-law, a proud Irish American, a cousin, a nephew, a confident and a friend.

Joe saved countless lives that day. Now he is a hero.

Thank you Joe for your heroism.