Posted on 12/01/2004 8:06:45 AM PST by txradioguy
New York - A New York City firefighter who had responded to the World Trade Centre attack was killed in Iraq while serving with the Army National Guard, city officials said.
Sergeant Christian P Engeldrum, 39, is the first New York firefighter to die in Iraq since the US-led war began, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. Engeldrum was killed on Monday when his vehicle came under attack outside Baghdad.
"I join all New Yorkers in mourning his loss and pray that his family finds comfort in the innumerable ways he touched so many lives," Bloomberg said in a statement.
Another New York firefighter, Daniel J Swift, 24, was riding in the same vehicle and got shrapnel wounds, Bloomberg said. Swift was in Germany for treatment and was expected to recover.
Both Engeldrum and Swift spent months digging through the rubble of the World Trade Centre after the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks.
Engeldrum was a five-year fire veteran who previously served as a police officer. He was on active duty in the Army from 1986 to 1991.
"He was a great fireman," fire Lieutenant Brian Horton said at the Bronx firehouse where Engeldrum served. "He was 100% soldier. He loved his country, and he loved being a fireman. He was a lucky man - he got to do what he loved."
Engeldrum is survived by a wife and two sons.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. Christian P. Engledrum, a New York National Guard soldier, in Iraq. Sgt. Engledrum was a true American hero who gave his life to make our world safer. It is heroes like Sgt. Engledrum who define the greatness of our nation and whose courage and resolve allow us to live in freedom."
"On behalf of all New Yorkers, our thoughts and prayers are with Sgt. Engledrum and his family during this difficult time."
May God keep him in His bosom.
R.I.P.
As a former New Yorker (born in New Jersey, raised in the NYC metro area, and a resident of Queens before moving to L.A.), I wish with all my heart that more New Yorkers would get it about Iraq and the War on Terrorism like this wonderful man did. From the President on down to the lowliest private, they are trying to prevent another 9/11. Sigh.
So do I. I live here and I feel everyday NYers going into that "I don't care about anything but myself and I want to forget about 9/1" mode.
ping
That old sleazeball Imus this morning said this guy "died for nothing", but was quickly corrected by Charles McCord that this man believed in the mission and did not die for nothing. The old buzzard moved onto another topic. What a sick old coot he is. The libs never get the fact that when you denigrate the mission, you denigrate the troops who believe in it.
God bless Christian P Engeldrum. My condolences to Christian P Engeldrum's family. He is the 344th New York firefighter to die by terrorism. Iraq War claimed 1,250 lives and injured 12,000. September 11th terrorist attack killed 3,000 people and injured 16,000 and left the World Trade Center destroyed.
Imus needs to head on to the granny farm with Danny Rather...
And only a moron or worse would denigrate someone who selflessly puts his life on the line for others and ultimately gives it. Fortunately for the morons our servicemen don't distinguish between them and those who are grateful, thankful and respectful of their service and sacrafice.
Man, talk about serving on two fronts. God bless him.
I knew Chris.
He was a paratrooper in my unit in the 82d Airborne Division. Everyone liked him. He was a great soldier. He had a fantastic sense of humor. His father was a big supporter of the soldiers in our unit.
He was always funny and positive and He was a warrior.
In a hundred years, when we are all dead of various diseases and calamities, Chris will be in that group that lived for purpose and died giving everything of himself.
Thanks Christian, for your passion and your sacrifice. Never grow old.
"H-Minus" from a brother from the road.
2 Panther, 82d Airborne Division.
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