Our special guests will be 43 year FDNY veteran Deputy Chief Jay Jonas and Chief of Dept Ganci's son, FDNY Battalion Chief Chris Ganci. We will be paying Tribute to FDNY Chief of Dept, Peter Ganci Jr. who died on 9-11-01. Chief Ganci was 18 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. It was 1965 and the Vietnam War was raging. He volunteered for “Airborne” and was later assigned to the famous 82nd Airborne unit. He would spend two years in the Army and attain the rank of Sargent. However, he was never deployed to Vietnam. He was appointed to the FDNY on September 14‚ 1968 and assigned as a firefighter to Engine 92 in the Bronx and then to 111 truck in Brooklyn. His climb to the top began as Lieutenant‚ Ladder 124‚ August 1977. While at Ladder 124‚ serving as a lieutenant‚ He was awarded the B.C. Frank Tuttlemondo medal in 1982 for performing an act of bravery and courage when he rescued a child from a burning apartment that was heavily engulfed in smoke‚ heat and fire. B.C. Robert Scalone of the 28th Battalion‚ after investigating this incident wrote‚ ‘without regard for his own safety‚ Ganci‚ with unerring skill and accuracy‚ moved into an atmosphere heavily charged with heat and smoke. If it were not for his quick‚ skillful actions‚ the rescued child would certainly have perished.’ When the incident was discussed with then Lt. Pete Ganci‚ he summed it all up very succinctly by saying‚ "When a firefighter realizes that someone is being robbed of life by fire‚ adrenalin and determination replace any thoughts of personal safety". It was this same determination that Chief Ganci‚ on September 11th as the Chief of Department‚ led and directed the most successful rescue operation of the modern era. Over 30‚000 people were saved because of Chief Ganci and his fellow firefighters. His career achievements included Captain‚ 1983; Battalion Chief‚ 1987; Deputy Chief 1993; Deputy Assistant Chief in charge of Bureau of Fire Investigation‚ 1994; Assistant Chief of Operations‚ 1996; Chief of operations 1997-99; Acting Chief of Department‚ 1998-99; and Chief of Department‚ October 1999 to September 11‚ 2001. Although Chief Pete will always be recognized for his distinguished accomplishments in the FDNY‚ his greatest legacy will live on through his Family. Pete Ganci‚ a loving husband to his wife Kathy‚ a devoted father to his children‚ Peter‚ Chris‚ and Danielle‚ will be remembered for his quick wit‚ his zest for life and his unforgettable smile. Remember WE HONOR the BRAVE men and women like Chief Ganci, who refused to quit; refused to retreat; and fought until the very end!    / gettinsaltyexperience