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MEMBERS OF THE FDNY AND NYPD REPRESENT NEW
YORK CITY AT MEMORIAL SERVICE IN HOUSTON FOR COLUMBIA ASTRONAUTS
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced members of the
New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the New York City
Fire Department (FDNY) are attending the memorial service
at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston for the seven astronauts
who perished aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia as the official
representatives of the City of New York. Representing the
NYPD is Police Office David Jackson and representing the FDNY
is Battalion Chief Jay Jonas.
“After September 11th, NASA and the men and women of
the Shuttle Program supported New York City in countless ways,”
said Mayor Bloomberg. “NASA presented the families of
the victims of the tragedy with flags that had flown in space;
they took the shields of fallen police officers into orbit
and presented keepsakes from the Shuttle to the children of
New York’s fallen heroes. We are deeply saddened by
this tragedy and we hope that these emissaries will give the
NASA family support in their time of need as the nation grieves
for the courageous members of the Columbia Crew”
Battalion Chief Jay Jonas is a 23-year veteran of FDNY. He
was the captain of Ladder Company 6 on 9/11/01, leading his
five firefighters and a female PA employee to safety down
the “B” staircase (between the 2nd and 4th floors)
in the North Tower when it collapsed around them. They were
trapped for several hours before being rescued, then led to
safety thru the debris.
Police Officer David Jackson is twelve-year veteran of the
NYPD and was recently named the 84th Precinct “Cop of
the Year.” Officer Jackson is consummate professional
who epitomizes the NYPD’s motto of “Courtesy Professionalism
and Respect.” He is admired by colleagues, appreciated
by his superiors and respected by the community her serves.
After September 11th an American flag, damaged but intact,
was pulled from the debris by members of the New York City
Police Department and traveled nearly five million miles in
space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor during STS-108 in
December 2001. The large flag, along with other commemorative
badges, patches, and other items, was carried into space with
nearly 6,000 smaller American flags that have been given to
the families of the victims of September 11th.
The Mayor also thanked all those who made the trip to Houston
possible; Michelle Adams and the Association for A Better
New York, Continental Airlines, Doubletree Hotels, New York
City and Company, the New York City Police Foundation and
the Fire Safety and Education Fund. All flags in New York
City continue to fly at half mast.
Contact:
(212) 788-2958 - Edward Skyler / Jordan Barowitz
(718) 999-2025 - Francis X. Gribbon (FDNY)
(646) 610-6700 - Michael O’Looney (NYPD)
No. 35
www.nyc.gov
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