Hempstead ceremony commemorates four fallen heroes

As we remember the Sept. 11 terrorist attack that shook the nation 23 years ago, local communities honor their own heroes who lost their lives that day.

The Village of Hempstead held a ceremony to honor four residents who died in the attacks to keep their memory alive all these years later.

“When I think of the word ‘legacy,’ I think of these four individuals that we come to honor tonight,” Tonya Herring, a member of the Hempstead Village Human Relations Council, said. “I think of the impact that they left, not only on the country, but on our communities and us as individuals.”

Michael Kiefer became a probationary firefighter in December 2000, after spending a year and a half as a FDNY paramedic. He was also a volunteer firefighter in Freeport and worked with Hempstead’s South Side Ladder Company. He studied in the fire cadet program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

There is a Swim, Run, and Paddle event in Long Beach every July to remember Kiefer’s dedication and perseverance.

“Mike was a good guy,” Hempstead Village Trustee Kevin Boone said in honor of Kiefer. “Every time that bell went off, (he was) definitely somebody you could count on.”

Durrell “Bronko” Pearsall was a volunteer firefighter for Hempstead’s Engine 4. According to one of his former coworkers, Phil Tufano, Pearsall was studying for the FDNY Lieutenant’s Exam when he gave his life.

“Bronk made me work, but he taught me how to help others,” Evelyn Renee Boone Franklin, another former coworker, said in honor of Pearsall. “He taught me how to survive.”

Alva Jeffries Sanchez worked as a data analyst for Marsh McLennan insurance company. She has been described by loved ones as having been outgoing with many passions, including fashion, traveling, exercising, cooking, and writing poetry.

Dorothy Burke Morgan was a broker at Marsh McLennan who worked with high end clients. She was, according to her daughter Nykiyah Morgan, an “amazing woman.” Even clients she had never met in person went to her memorial service because she was so loved by everyone with whom she came in contact.

A large crowd of local residents gathered along with Legislator Scott Davis, Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr., Village Board of Trustee members, and members of the police force and fire department to pay their respects to these four honored individuals. The evening at Denton Green Park included a poem reading by Ruth Roberson, two emotional violin performances by Sh’Lo Green, and a moving dance performance by Brielle Blyther. At the end of the evening, candles were lit for the four honorees.

“Take this as a day to not only reflect on the loss, but what we do have,” Davis said.