FDNY Member, Who Famously Stood With Pres. Bush At Ground Zero, Dies

SEAFORD, NY — A New York City firefighter, who was immortalized for standing with President George W. Bush in lower Manhattan in the days after 9/11, has died.

Bob Beckwith was 91.

On Sept. 14, 2001, Bush addressed throngs of exhausted emergency personnel using a bullhorn as he placed his arm around Beckwith, who had ended his retirement to assist at Ground Zero.

"His actions alongside the president are directly responsible for a bright moment during one of our nation's darkest hours," Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin said in a statement.

Former congressman Peter King tweeted a photo with Beckwith, who he said had "class and dignity." King also referred to Beckwith as "an American icon who personified the class of the FDNY."

The Town of Hempstead announced that flags will fly at half-staff the entire week leading up to his interment on Feb. 10 at Greenfield Cemetary in Uniondale.