Memories and tears marked an emotional ceremony at Jonathan L. Ielpi Firefighters Park on Sunday, Sept. 11, the 15th anniversary of the September, 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
This commemoration is held annually by the Great Neck Vigilant Fire Department to honor Jonathan Lee Ielpi, a Great Neck resident, who lost his life on 9/11 while working as a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department. He was just 29 years old and left behind a wife and two young boys.
Being a firefighter was Ielpi’s passion and dream from the time he was a young boy. He first became a junior firefighter with the Great Neck Alert Fire Company. At 17, he became a volunteer firefighter with the Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company. During his 12 years as a member of Vigilant, he worked his way up, becoming a lieutenant, captain and eventually an assistant chief.
Also honored were Great Neck residents Frederick Kou, Richard Lee, Joshua Vitale and Andrew Stergiopolous, who perished with the thousands of others on that devastating day.
In addition to current and former Vigilant firefighters, Ielpi family members, friends and neighbors were in attendance.
Read more here: “Vigilant Fire Company To Hold 9/11 Memorial.”
