By Liz McBreen
Kiefer had become a firefighter at Ladder 132 in the Bronx only nine months before his death, but according to his fellow firefighters, he had been one since birth. He belonged to the Franklin Square Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the Freeport and Hempstead Departments. Fighting fires was not enough to satisfy Kiefer's urge to protect people, so he also became a lifeguard in Long Beach.
Becoming a part of the New York City Fire Department had always been Kiefer's dream. At the funeral, his sister Lauren recalled how at a young age, her brother would stage mock fires in their shed with smoke bombs and test his little sister's ability to rise to the challenge. Lauren would be promoted up the ranks of Kiefer's Firehouse according to the skill she showed in rescuing her doll from the smoky inferno.
After high school, Kiefer attended John Jay College in Manhattan because of its Fire Department cadet program, and went on to become an Emergency Medical Service worker to help speed his path towards firefighting.
Father Thomas Groenewold, who had known Kiefer since his childhood, offered the funeral Mass. ''He was confident, sensitive and idealistic," said Groenewold, adding, "He lived his calling, and died saving others."
The priest went on to explain that Kiefer also lived his faith. He had been an altar boy at St. Catherine's, and had also become a Eucharistic Minister at the parish. He attended Mass every week. "Michael had a short life, but it was a full and rich life. He fulfilled his calling, he did his best," said Groenewold.
The last time Kiefer was seen on the morning of the attacks, he was rushing into the burning South Tower with his unit, disappearing up the smoke-filled steps.
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani attended the funeral, and spoke about the heroism of Kiefer and every other New York City Firefighter. "The terrorist attacks were intended to break our spirit, but the way Michael and other firefighters acted gave America courage. They not only saved lives, they saved the spirit of America. Michael was a patriot, and he stood his ground," said Giuliani.
Fellow firefighter Horatio Maldanado recalled how something out of the ordinary happened the day Kiefer was assigned to Ladder 132. Maldanado received two congratulatory calls from firefighters in other houses who knew Kiefer. The young 'proby' had already made a name for himself in the department, and the others wanted Maldanado to know the great asset he had in Kiefer.
Referred to as 'Kiefer the Keeper', houses that Kiefer worked in while completing his probationary period, did not want to see him go at the end of his tour.
"He was a 25-year-old proby with 25 years of experience," said firefighter Mark Holstrom.
Because Kiefer was a fan of Deacon James DiGiovanna's homilies, Deacon Jim said a few words after the Mass. DiGiovanna stressed that no one knows how much time he or she has on earth, and so that time should be used to create harmony and love in this world.
He encouraged Kiefer's friends to follow his example by going to Church regularly and by putting their all into everything they do. Speaking to Kiefer's fellow firefighters, DiGiovanna said, "Tell your children about the legend of Michael Kiefer, and the kind of man he was. If we forget him, the horrible acts of terrorism that occurred on Sept. 11 just got worse."
Giuliani remarked that Kiefer would go from town to town to find the volunteer fire department where he would see the most fires, and learn the most. Kiefer died living this ambition--rescuing life from the biggest and most devastating fire in the history of New York City.
Kiefer is survived by his mother Pat and father Bud, sisters Lauren and Kerri, and his fiancee Jamie Huggler. His sisters describe Kiefer as their best friend. Huggler said that for the three years that she and Kiefer knew each other, he filled her life with love, energy and confidence, and made her the strong person that she is today.
Kiefer's father explained the unique friendship he had with his son. Bud was to stand as Kiefer's best man at his wedding. "He used to tell me that he wanted to be like me," said the firefighter's father. "You had it wrong, kid," continued Kiefer, "you're my hero."
