A large crowd of firefighters, families and friends attended to see medals awarded to firefighters for extraordinary service in the line of duty.
The Medal of Supreme Sacrifice was awarded to Capt. Ronald Fitzpatrick, a volunteer firefighter and training officer with the Long Branch Fire Department, who died in the line of duty on Dec. 6, 2003, when he suffered a heart attack while fighting a fire. Fitzpatrick was retired and a veteran of 27 years with the Newark Fire Department. He had been a senior instructor with the Monmouth County Fire Academy for 32 years.
The Medal of Supreme Sacrifice also was awarded to firefighter George D. Petrosky, a volunteer fire police officer with the Matawan Fire Department, who died on Nov. 9, 2003, after suffering head injuries sustained the previous September, when he collapsed while directing traffic at the scene of an accident. Petrosky was a 50-year veteran and a lifetime member of Midway Hose Fire Company No. 2, and held numerous offices including three years as chief.
Medals of Valor were awarded to Joseph Sarro, of Hazlet, and Raymond Kosakowski, also of Hazlet.
Unit citations were given to the Adelphia Fire Co., Howell, the Naval Weapons Station Earle Fire and Emergency Service, and to the Keansburg Fire Department.
Monmouth County Freeholder Theodore J. Narozanick was keynote speaker for the memorial service. He stressed the importance a vibrant fire service provides to a community.
“In Monmouth County, volunteers are the backbone of fire protection,” Narozanick said. “One need only look at the two men who are honored today with the Medal of Supreme Sacrifice. Capt. Fitzpatrick, a professional firefighter in Newark, nevertheless shared his talent, experience and passion for helping his neighbors by volunteering as a firefighter and training officer in his hometown of Long Branch.
“Firefighter Petrosky, after serving in the U.S. Army during World War II and winning the Purple Heart, came home and served the town of Matawan for the next 50 years as a volunteer firefighter.
You want heroes?” Narozanick asked rhetorically. “Fitzpatrick and Petrosky are real heroes in every sense of the word.”
Narozanick continued by asking the firefighters in attendance to “use the example of these two extraordinary men as role models as you perform your most valuable duties as volunteer firefighters.”
The service was marked by the playing of taps and the placement of a wreath honoring all the fallen firefighters of Monmouth County.
The roster of fallen firefighters includes: Asbury Park: Natalie T. Bruno, Irwin H. Schein, Assistant Chief Frank Fees, James VanBenschoten; Freehold: Joseph Storey, Leroy Van Schoick, Lester Van Schoick; Highlands: Francis Schmedes, John W. Franklin Sr.; Howell: John Somay, Phillip H. Dittmar; Keyport: Jacob Leyrer Jr.; Long Branch: Raymond Dinen, Robert Feney, Capt. Ronald Fitzpatrick, H. Wilbur Lloyd, Robert Pierce; Marlboro: Assistant Chief Ronald Osadacz; Matawan: George D. Petrosky, Robert Kilcomons; Middletown: Thomas P. Ryan; Millstone: James J. Carbin Jr.; Ocean Grove: Henry Vierning; Red Bank: Jacob A. Bloom Sr., Raymond Phillips, Nicholas L. Ciazza, Harry Vernall, William H. Conrow; Sea Girt: Glen T. Thorn; Tinton Falls: Al Macmoryle; Union Beach: Ex-Chief Gustave Dirner; West Keansburg: Frank Strongoli; West Long Branch: Michael W. Thorne.