Rutherford Weekly

Thursday, September 17-September 23, 2020 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 21 PEGGY (MARGARET) JASKI Peggy (Margaret) Jaski, age 77, passed away September 4, 2020. She was born on September 10, 1942 in Union City, NJ to John and Margaret Gomes. Peggy met the love of her life, Tom Jaski, and they were married in 1968. She is survived by chil- dren, Tom (Christy) Jaski, David (Magee) Jaski and Kim (Scott) Williamson, as well as sister Carol Sgombick and 10 grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later time. Those desiring to make a memorial contribution in her honor are encouraged to consider St. Jude Children's Research hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or stjude.org/donate. GABRIEL MEEHAN Father Gabriel Joseph Meehan, age 89, passed away September 6, 2020. He was born July 29, 1931 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mass of Christian Burial was held at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1024 W Main St., Forest City, NC 28043. Obituaries Obituaries Obituaries Obituaries Brian Glenn, a New York City (NYC) fi refi ghter on Sept. 11, 2001 was at home recovering from knee surgery when his telephone rang early that morning. His brother, NYC police offi cer Robert Glenn was calling. "Turn on the TV," Brian recalled of the brief conversation he had and learned of terrorists attacks on America. Brian told that story at the 19th anniversary 9/11 memorial ceremony at the Forest City Fire Department on Friday morning. Although just fi ve days post-op from knee surgery on Sept. 11, 2001 Brian said he knew he had to get to work and after several attempts to fi nd transportation, he fi nally made it to the World Trade Center. His brother Robert was there along with hundreds of other fi rst responders. "I didn't hear from him for 16 days, but he made it. My brother left a piece of himself in the World Trade Center that day," Brian said. "Firemen had no idea that the buildings would come down," he continued. On the 78th fl oor, as fi remen were running up the stairs they were telling each other, "We can get this, We can get this." But when the buildings fell, so much changed. Calls were made from all the city's emergency centers that every fi rst responder in the area had to respond to the Twin Towers. "Firefi ghters were seen running across the Brooklyn Bridge carrying their fi remen gear," Brian said. "They showed the same courage that day that the Forest City fi remen show when they get a call. That's what fi refi ghters do. We knock down fi res and save people," he said. Brian said the NYC fi re departments lost 400 years of experience that day as so many of the senior fi refi ghters died. He recalled the name of a 66-year-old fi reman who was planning to retire that year. He died at the scene and so did his fi refi ghter son. They didn't come back home. While speaking in the bay of the Forest City Fire Station, Brian walked over to a few pairs of shoes on the fl oor. Displaying emotions, he talked about the fi reman's civilian's shoes on the fl oor. The shoes represented those of fi refi ghters who have been called out to a fi re. They hurried out of their shoes, into fi reman's boots and turn-out gear and rush to the fi re. Brian kicked the shoes scattering them across the fl oor. "That's what they really look like," he said. "When you go by a fi re station and the rigs are not there, go look at the shoes," Brian said. "On that day there were 343 sets of shoes that didn't make it back home," Brian said of the NYC fi refi ghters who died on 9/11. "We try to look after everyone. We all do something. All gave some and some gave all," Brian said. Among those in the audience were his brother, Robert, now retired from the NYC police force and living on Long Island in New York. He drove to Forest City to join Brian for the 9/11 ceremony. Det. Joe Conway, Jr. a friend of Brian who is also retired from the NYC police force made the drive to Forest City from Lexington when he and his family have retired. All three men will forever have in common the fact they were at the Twin Towers that terrible day in 2001. Among other special guests were fi refi ghters and police offi cers from Forest City, Town Manager Janet Mason, Rutherfordton Mayor Jimmy Dancy, Town Manager Doug Barrick, Rutherfordton Fire Chief Brandon Harrill, Broad River Water Authority Executive Director Maria Hunnicutt and other offi cers and fi refi ghters. Forest City Fire Chief Ferrell Hamrick welcomed the group gathered for the memorial ceremony and thanked them for attending the annual ceremony. He told the group the ceremony wasn't publicized due to the virus so the crowd was smaller. Hamrick introduced Brian Glenn to the group and thanked him for his service as a fi refi ghter. Hamrick said Glenn has become a friend of the Forest City fi re personnel and often comes to the station to "hang out." "I am a better person because of him," Hamrick said. Forest City Fire Captain Greg Tate said the morning prayer and the Rutherford County Honor Guard presented the colors and at the conclusion of the ceremony rang the fi reman's bell. NYC ÐireÐighter talks about the empty Ðireman's shoes on 9/11 Article and photos by Jean Gordon The crowd was smaller than usual for the ceremony due to the pandemic. But the message was the same, "We will never forget." Brian Glenn, a NYC fi refi ghter on 9/11, shares the story of the day America was changed. A member of the Rutherford County Honor Guard rings bell representing the fi reman's fi nal call. The American fl ag waves from high atop the Tower 1 at the Forest City Fire Department Friday. Fire Captain Greg Tate prays at the annual ceremony. With heads bowed are Brian Glenn (left) and Fire Chief Ferrell Hamrick. The friends stand in front of a retired Forest City fi re engine and stand behind sets of fi reman's boots. Together at the Twin Towers on 9/11 were (left to right) NYC police offi cer Robert Glenn, NYC fi refi ghter Brian Glenn and NYC police offi cer Det. Joe Conway Jr. They attended the 19th anniversary memorial ceremony of 9/11 Friday at the Forest City Police Department. Rutherford Weekly's publisher and its adver- tisers are not responsible or liable for mis- prints, typographical errors, misinformation herein contained. We reserve the right to edit, reject or accept any articles, advertisements, or information to be printed in this publication. We will provide ad proofs for pre-paid ads or ads that are placed by established clients. No proofs may leave our premises without payment and permission and are copyright by Rutherford Weekly. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. 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Sailors advertising@rutherfordweekly.com advertising@rutherfordweekly.com RUTHERFORD WEEKLY 157 West Main Street, Forest City, NC 28043 Phone 828-248-1408 • Fax 828-245-7013 Visit us online at: rutherfordweekly.com Nearly three dozen institutional scholarships are available at Isothermal Community College to help students defray costs. Apply now for the fall semester. You must complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on fi le to be considered. Financial aid professionals can help you with this step, if needed. More than 60 scholarships are available for this fall and spring. You can apply for all 60 with one simple application. The scholarships range in value from $200 to $600. The application and booklet may be found here: https://www. isothermal.edu/current-students/financial-aid/application- processes/programs/scholarships.html. The deadline is Sept. 25, 2020, but act quickly to take advantage of the greatest availability. Please contact Reagan Bowman, Financial Aid counselor, at rbowman@isothermal.edu or (828) 395-1985 with any questions. Institutional scholarships available, apply now Application deadline is Sept. 25 Contributed article; submitted by Jean Gordon

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