My father, Lawrence McCarthy, passed away on July 16 from cancer. He was a retired lieutenant with the New York Fire Department with 35 years of service and retired for 10 and a half years. I have grown up knowing the commaraderie among firemen and their special bond. I am married to a New York fireman, recently retired due to injury after 23 years. They are a special breed, always there for one another and taking care of a fallen brother's family.

During my father's illness, word had spread that he was sick and the phone calls and the visitors from firemen were constant. When my dad died, his two firehouses, Engine 231/Ladder 120 and Engine 277/Ladder 112, made all the arrangements for an honor guard and bag pipers. My family was very comforted to know he was so loved.

We could not get a fire truck due to my dad being retired 10 and a half years and living outside the city. Amazingly, my son's friend's father, Ed Larkin, is a Hicksville volunteer fireman with Emergency Company #5, Station #3. He said to let him make some calls and he called his captain and got the okay. He and his friend, Lt. Ray Grandville had an engine outside the funeral home. Ed only met my dad once or twice and Ray doesn't even know us. Out of their selfless generosity, a fellow fireman was honored out of respect for a brother.

My family and I would like to thank them and let them know how grateful we are. An act of kindness went a very long way.

Anne Hoehing and the McCarthy family