This week's issue of the Great Neck Record features photographs from the celebration of Alert firefighter Malcolm Nielson's 75 years of active volunteer service with Great Neck's very own Alerts. The Nov. 2, 2006 Page 3 story on Mal Nielson chronicled his rich history of firefighting and fire-related jobs. As we all know now, he is the first Alert to reach this milestone and possibly only the second one in New York state to be so honored.

The Record would now like to take this opportunity to thank our good friend Mal Nielson for his incredibly long years of service and devotion to this community. Great Neck owes much to a man who would spend so much time and effort risking his life, over and over again, to save our lives.

Mal is 94 years old and still volunteering his services to the Alerts. The Alert firefighters tell us that today he is an invaluable resource to their department, with his vast knowledge of both the Alerts and the Great Neck community. Amazingly, he has known every single Alert fire chief who has ever served in the Alert's 105 years in existence.

Our heartiest congratulations, once again, to Mal Nielson! And a world of gratitude for all you have done for Great Neck!

- Wendy Karpel Kreitzman