Beach Channel Park

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, April 30, 2003

BROOKLYN GREENSTREET DEDICATED TO FALLEN FIREFIGHTER

Firefighters from across the city, New York State Court Officers, NYPD Officers, EMS workers and other rescue personnel along with their families spilled into the street on Arbor Day, April 25^th, to remember fallen Firefighter Gregory T. Saucedo. Over 300 uniformed officers, family members and friends surrounded the tiny traffic triangle at Fillmore Avenue from East 57th Street to Avenue T in Brooklyn to dedicate this Greenstreet in honor of the life of Firefighter Gregory T. Saucedo (1969-2001).

In 2002, Local Law 28 named the 0.033-acre Greenstreet for Firefighter Gregory T. Saucedo. Firefighter Saucedo grew up on East 57th Street, just a few hundred yards from the site. Gregory Saucedo served 11 years in the New York City Fire Department, and tragically lost his life while helping people to escape the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

At Friday's dedication ceremony, Parks & Recreation Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Julius Spiegel, Council Member Lewis A. Fidler, State Senator Carl Kruger, Assembly Member Frank Seddio, District Manager of Community Board 18 Dorothy Turano and Captain Frank Coughlin of Ladder Company 5 joined Firefighter Saucedo's family members to water a newly planted Zelkova tree and unveil an historical sign in memory of the fallen firefighter. The family also received a special street sign bearing Gregory's name.

Gregory Saucedo went to P.S. 236, Roy H. Mann, and South Shore High School. As captain of the football team, he developed a lifelong interest in fitness, especially weightlifting. He earned a degree in Education from Brooklyn College, and then decided to become a firefighter along with three of his childhood friends. At the Fire Academy, Saucedo set a class record for push-ups: 105 in just 60 seconds.

In June 1991, he began his seven years at Engine 321 in Marine Park. Working close to home enabled him to maintain close ties to the community in his professional, as well as personal, life. More than once, Engine 321 responded to an emergency at his neighbors' homes. In the neighborhood, Gregory Saucedo was respected as someone who would always lend a hand, whether to help fix a car or to shovel snow. In the fall of 1998, Firefighter Saucedo transferred to Ladder 5 in the heart of Greenwich Village. After fighting fires for ten years, he began to study for the Lieutenant's exam.

This Greenstreet in Mill Basin stands in tribute to a man who died as he had lived - helping others. Firefighter Gregory Saucedo will long be remembered for his gregarious nature, dynamic personality and good humor. We can find great strength and take great pride in the manner in which Gregory Saucedo lived his life. As Captain Frank Coughlin with Ladder Company 5 stated, "Greg's sacrifice will remain forever not only in the hearts of those who knew him, but for all who pass this way."

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience

in which you really stop to look fear in the face.

You are able to say to yourself, "I lived through this horror.

I can take the next thing that comes along"…

You must do the thing you think you cannot do."

(1894-1962)