Long Beach walk for Franklin Square 9/11 victim

Michael Kiefer had been a New York City firefighter for only nine months when, on September 11, 2001, at age 25, he made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Now, nearly nine years later, his family continues to honor his memory with the Eighth Annual FDNY Michael Kiefer Walk/Run, to be held on June 12 on the boardwalk in Long Beach. Kiefer, a Franklin Square native, used to work out along the boardwalk every day as a lifeguard before joining Engine 280/Ladder 132 in Brooklyn, where he fulfilled a lifelong aspiration to serve as a firefighter.

Organizers expect up to 300 people to gather that Saturday between Lincoln and Monroe boulevards, close to where a memorial bench dedicated to Kiefer is installed, and where the event will kick off at 11 a.m. Attendees may choose to walk, run or bike the length of the beachside. Those who are hesitant to sweat but still wish to contribute can purchase a commemorative t-shirt from a tent set up near the starting line. Whoever gets involved will receive in thanks a memorial patch to show their support.

Participation is $10, and all proceeds will go to benefit two nonprofit charities: Hope For The Warriors, which seeks to alleviate the burdens on the families of fallen or wounded service members, and the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation, a medical organization that works to treat and prevent injuries to burn victims throughout the city.

Further donations can be mailed directly to the Kiefer family, according to a flyer advertising the event. They live in Franklin Square. Checks should be made payable to the FDNY FF Michael Kiefer Fund.

Kiefer’s father, Bud Kiefer, says he hopes that the day’s workout will help remind participants and onlookers of the sacrifices his son and other fellow firefighters made on 9/11 and continue to make each day.

“People do not realize how much these young men and women sacrifice for us,” he said.