HFD Unveils George Howard Memorial Showcase

Robert and Christopher Howard attended the fire department's dedication of a memorial showcase in their late father's memory.
Photo by Cathy Greenfield

By Victoria A. Caruso

The Hicksville Fire Department unveiled a memorial showcase on Jan. 31 in honor of the late George Howard, an ex-captain of Hicksville's Emergency Company 5 and Port Authority Police Officer who perished in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Following the attacks, the department named Howard honorary chief.

The department's memorial showcase, which was designed by George Munoz and a team from Gilbert Displays, is located at Station #3 on Strong Street. Included in the case is a plaque in Howard's honor, created by Hicksville firefighter Ritchie Schmidt from steel from the Twin Towers. The showcase also includes a photo of Howard in full uniform, his Hicksville Fire Department bunker gear and Nassau County Fire Academy and Port Authority Police helmets. The department is also planning to include an autographed photograph from President George W. Bush in the showcase. The photo will be that of the president holding Howard's shield during his September 2001 speech at Ground Zero.

A steel, glass and marble plaque was created by Hicksville firefighter Ritchie Schmidt in memory of George Howard. Schmidt created the plaque by engraving pieces of steel from the Twin Towers.
Photo by Steve Greenfield

During the ceremony, the department also took the time to recognize those individuals whose assistance was greatly appreciated after the World Trade Center attacks. Plaques were presented to Hicksville's fire chiefs, commissioners and officers of Company 6 as well as to Captain Reinhardt and Lieutenants Boccio and McDonald; ex-Captain Mike Scanlon; the Port Authority Police Department; and Barry Ballen and George Munoz of Gilbert Displays. Honorary chief's badges were presented to Howard's sons, Christopher and Robert.

The plaques were engraved with the following statement from President Bush's Sept. 20, 2001 speech: "Each of us will remember what happened that day and to whom it happened. We'll remember the moment the news came, where we were and what we were doing. Some will remember an image of a fire or a story of rescue. Some will carry memories of a face and a voice gone forever. And I will carry this - it is the police shield of a man named George Howard who died at the World Trade Center trying to save others. It was given to me by his mom, Arlene, as a proud memorial to her son. This is my reminder of lives that ended and a task that does not end."