By Linda Delmonico-Prussen
The Town of Hempstead held a quiet ceremony during which a street sign bearing Sweeney's name was unveiled at Grand Avenue and Murray Place.
In attendance were Sweeney's parents, MaryAnn and Ed Sweeney, his brother Matt and sister Lynne.
Frank Valerio, of Merrick, a city firefighter who had befriended Sweeney in the seventh grade, spoke warmly of his longtime friend, who was 29 when he died. Sweeney was "always there when I needed him," Valerio said, adding that Sweeney was "always the life of the party."
Valerio also said that Sweeney was passionate about firefighting, a job he loved. And he enjoyed sports, including scuba diving and even bungee jumping.
Valerio said in closing, "Today is Brian's day, and I'm proud and privileged to say I was Brian's friend."
On Sept. 11, Fred LaFemina, now the New York City Fire Department's battalion chief of special operations, was captain of Rescue 1, to which Sweeney was assigned at the time. LaFemina called Sweeney "the best of the best" among firefighters.
LaFemina said that Sweeney's selection as a member of
the elite Rescue 1, after having been a firefighter only six years, was akin to "leaving high school as a baseball player and going right into the major leagues." Sweeney quickly became an instructor with Rescue 1, an almost unheard of honor so early in a career, LaFemina said.
Sweeney's father, Ed, spoke briefly, expressing his appreciation to all who attended the ceremony.
Hempstead Town Councilman Gary Hudes (R-Levittown) closed the ceremony, saying, as he uncovered the new street sign, "Brian Sweeney will always be remembered for his bravery."
Jill Pall, of Merrick, founded the non-profit organization Adam's Angels in honor of city firefighter Adam Rand, who died Sept. 11. She said at the dedication ceremony, "I think that it's wonderful that the community came out to embrace the Sweeneys and share in this wonderful moment."
Husband and wife Anthony and Dorothy Bryman, who both work for the New York City Fire Department, became friends with Ed and MaryAnn Sweeney through frequent attendance at Met games. Later Dorothy met Brian Sweeney through work. Dorothy said she knew Sweeney only briefly, but she said the friendship that she struck up with him touched her deeply.
Valerio said of the ceremony, "Today is not a day to mourn. It's a day to show our great respect and our high regard for Brian's sacrifice."
