Wantagh Fire Department Honors Members Lost on 9/11 With Street Naming

The held a ceremony Sunday morning commemorating the 10^th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and at the service dedicated two streets in memory of its members lost on that fateful day.

The Wantagh firefighters killed when the World Trade Center twin towers fell a decade ago that were honored with street namings Sunday morning are Lee Fehling and Kevin Donnelly. The two streets now named in honor of Fehling and Donnelly are located at the west and east ends of Wantagh Fire District Station 6 on 2995 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh, which serves as a training center. The streets that serve as an entrance and exit for Station 6 are now called Lt. Kevin Donnelly Way and Lee Fehling Way.

Donnelly, a longtime Levittown resident who was living in Long Beach at the time of the 2001 terrorist attacks, was a lieutenant in the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) with Ladder Company 3 in addition to serving as a volunteer in Wantagh. Fehling was a Wantagh native who served as with the New York City Police Department before also becoming a two-year FDNY veteran with Engine 235 in Brooklyn.

“We must never forget what the families of Lee and [Kevin] gave up in order to protect the lives of others,” said Wantagh Fire Chief Jeff Lindgren during the Sunday morning 9/11 memorial ceremony. “Their sacrifices were made without question, without hesitation and without fear.”

Fehling is one of 18 firegighters lost on 9/11 included in a new exhbit that Friday at the in East Garden City. The Wantagh Fire Department have also honored Donnelly with a memorial in front of the Station 2 house in Levittown.

The street dedication ceremony Sunday was organized by the Wantagh Fire Department's 9/11 Committee. The national anthem was sung by Christina Regan, daughter of former Wantagh Fire Captain Kevin Regan. A 1930-model Wantagh fire truck was on display during the half hour dedication service, which was attended by Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Gary Hudes, R-Levittown.

“I know that Lee and Kevin are looking down on you and keeping you safe as you protect our wonderful community of Wantagh,” said Supervisor Murray while thanking the many firefighters in attendance for their service. “God bless Lee and Kevin and all the men and women who perished that day.”