Honor 50 Years Fire Service

2, of the Mineola Fire Department WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and indebted to our noble volunteer firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery every day in the course of their duties; and WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters exemplify the power of human compassion and the strength of the American spirit through actions of the most heroic magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless dedication merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of this great country; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend ex-Captain William O'Connell upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to Truck Company 2, of the Mineola Fire Department to be celebrated at an event on Saturday,

May 19, 2018, at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, New York; and WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride, valor, and integrity; these respected volunteers are often the first to respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill of hazardous materials; and WHEREAS, Ever since he was a young child, William O'Connell knew he wanted to be a firefighter when he grew up; shortly after he joined the Mineola Fire Department, he was drafted into the United States Armed Forces; and WHEREAS, William O'Connell proudly served his country as a member of the United States Air Force; in January of 1968, he completed basic training in Texas and underwent specialized training in hydraulics; for the next three years, he was stationed in Spain, where he met his wife, Deb, in 1972; and WHEREAS, On April 1, 1973, William and Deb were married at St. Aidan's Church in Williston, New York; shortly thereafter, William was deployed back to service; he eventually retired with the rank of E-5 Staff Sergeant; and WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, William O'Connell returned to Mineola to pursue his longtime goal of becoming a career firefighter; after taking many tests at Grumman, he worked as a United States Postal Service Letter Carrier in New Hyde Park, New York, from 1974-1984; and WHEREAS, In 1984, William O'Connell's dream came to fruition when he became a New York City Firefighter; he was assigned to Ladder 150, the "Hollis Hogs" from 1984-1998, and then to Ladder 133, where he served from 1998-2001; he finished his career with Squad 270 in 2003; and WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, William O'Connell has served "The Workhorse Company" in various capacities including Financial Secretary, and member of various Truck Committees; he rose through the ranks of Truck Company 2 to serve as Lieutenant, and led the company from

1990-1992, as Captain; and WHEREAS, In addition to his role as Captain, William O'Connell was a kind and considerate man who not only served on the Sick Committee, but also assisted members and their families during difficult times; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Deb; their two children, Allison and Sean; and their two grandchildren, Jaret and Alex, all of whom have shown him love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help others and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with family and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need; ex-Captain William O'Connell was such a firefighter; throughout 50 years of devoted service, this firefighter heroically performed, above and beyond the call of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire protection; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend ex-Captain William O'Connell upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the Truck Company 2, of the Mineola Fire Department; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to ex-Captain William O'Connell.