By Howard Goldstein
Officials from the Town of Hempstead, including Supervisor Richard Guardino, Councilwoman Angie Cullin, Town Clerk Kathleen Murray, and Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin, joined representatives from both the North Bellmore Fire Dept. and Rescue Squad 18 of New York, and family and friends to honor the 11-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department.
Invocation was offered by Father Peter Dooley of St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church, and the Fire Department of New York Emerald Society Bagpipers played farewell music to honor the great fireman.
"The events of Sept. 11 have deeply touched Long Islanders. We have come together to show compassion for those affected, resolve in the face of evil, and enormous strength and courage," said Guardino.
"Prior to Sept. 11 many people thought that there were no modern heroes," he continued, "But on the morning of Sept. 11, Rescue Squad 18 participated in the largest rescue effort in the history of our country.
"Squad 18 suffered greatly, as seven members of this elite unit were lost in the terrorist attacks. Manny Mojica was among those who made the supreme sacrifice doing the job he loved so well."
Mojica, a volunteer firefighter in North Bellmore, served for 11 years on New York City Fire Department Squad 18 in Manhattan, a division of Special Operations.
In addition to general firefighting, Squad 18 was specially trained and formed to respond to terrorism.
Mojica was educated to handle such emergencies as bio-chemical hazards, building collapses and high-angle rope rescues, in the event of terrorist attack or urban catastrophe.
On Sept. 11, Mojica and his unit were challenged in a way that even those who formed the special units could not have guessed as the great Twin Towers collapsed and crashed. Tragically, the fearless Mojica and six others from Unit 18 died in the Towers as they struggled to rescue others.
Called to speak also were Mojica's close friend, firefighter Howie Scott, and his wife, Anna.
Mojica was the dedicated father of Stephanie, age 9, and Manny, age 6.
He is also survived by his siblings Letty and Vinia.
Town officials presented Mojica's family with a duplicate street sign of the one bearing his name in North Bellmore.
