"We Are Mineola" is a special meaningful statement. It is a statement about commitment. Whether it is to the community, businesses, families, groups or nonprofit organizations or simply to a fellow human being, a community is blessed to have caring individuals.

Each of the last six years the Mineola Chamber of Commerce, the Inc. Village of Mineola and numerous organizations, residents, teachers, businesses, houses of worship have dined together to celebrate their community, their fellowship and their oneness. The honorees are recognized each year in a semiformal dinner dance setting. These persons are not recognized for their wealth, nor their affiliation, their stature in life, or whom they know. They are chosen because they seem to shine brighter than others. They are people who care, make things happen, bring special life to a situation and seem to have an unending zest for life and those around them.

This year some very special persons were awardees. The most memorable moment of the evening was when Mineola Fire Department 1st Asst. Chief Scott Strauss was receiving his award. An award that memorialized the fact that he saved Police Officer Will Jimeno's life on September 11, 2001. The fact that the officer he saved was able to make a surprise visit to the dinner brought tears to the eyes of many and a standing ovation for Scott.

Here is some of the text that was read at the dinner and presented in a surprise fashion.

Walter Crosby is a person who radiates commitment. As the story goes, this committed man on September 11 was just returning from an early morning appointment and arrived at the office building he worked in just across the street from the World Trade Center. The building and area was surrounded by smoke. It was then that he called his wife to relay the fact that there must be a terrible fire in the area. Grace relayed the horror that she was seeing on TV after the first plane had hit. Walter, sprung into action and he and two co-workers helped evacuate the building with precision. However, a straggler lady needed help to the revolving door. It was then that she fainted trapping not only herself but also Walter with the smoke enveloping them. Thanks to some quick thinking, they were both out before they could be overcome with the smoke. The long trip over the Brooklyn Bridge gave him time to think of his family and loved ones. Arriving at the Supreme Court Building, he was able to contact home.

Walter is a cherished part of the community. He is quick to take up a cause and give it his all. It was no wonder that he was selected in 1997 as the Mineola Fire Department "Firefighter of Year." The hours you have spent away from your family, namely your lovely wife Grace and your children, Jeanne, Michael, Thomas and Christopher somehow went unnoticed because you were always there for them in so many ways, as your family attested to.

Scott Strauss is the 1st Assistant Chief of the Mineola Fire Department. He has been a member for the past 21 years. He is the first Junior Fire Fighter to ever rise to this high prestigious position.

Besides being a husband, dad and a firefighter, Scott is a police officer in the Emergency Services Unit (ESU) in New York City.

On September 11, 2001, Scott was to face one of the biggest challenges of his life. Upon his arrival at the scene he was faced with the task of locating the missing, a gruesome task that would certainly touch him forever.

While searching for victims as well as his fellow missing police officers of the elite ESU, an armed forces individual pointed out to him that there was someone calling for help in the midst of the rubble of the WTC. After searching for the possible victim, he discovered that the victim was down a long tunnel of debris near an elevator shaft of the North Tower. Scott, without hesitation or fear for his own life began removing debris and throwing it into the elevator shaft, handful by handful. There was the ever-present danger of another collapse, which would have trapped him as well. Yet Scott continued to dig and scrape with a pair of handcuffs, removing piece by piece with debris and dust falling from everywhere until he finally reached the victim's ankles. At that point it was discovered that one of the victim's ankles was trapped by a piece of steel that Scott could not lift by hand. He calmly explained to the Port Authority Police Officer that he was going to have to get a tool to try to lift the steel to free him. They waited for the equipment. The wait seemed forever, and Will Jimeno, the trapped officer, pleaded with Scott to save his partner, even if it meant cutting his leg off. Scott carefully positioned the jaws of life and began to lift the piece of steel but not without debris falling on top of both of them. He finally moved the steel just enough for the victim to slide out. Before they left, the victim wanted to know the status of his partner but all stories don't have a happy ending. Scott had already discovered the victim's partner some six feet away, actually there were five officers to begin with but only Will and another would be saved. Scott kept his silence to give strength and hope to Will. Thankfully, Will would see his family but his partner wouldn't be going home to his family that night. A thought that will linger in the minds of all forever.

A short time after his heroic deed, Police Officer Strauss was promoted to Detective and had the pleasure of attending the Port Authority Police Officer's christening of his new baby who got to see his daddy thanks to the efforts of Officer Strauss.

Kuck's Delicatessen on Mineola Boulevard is one of the long-established members of the Mineola business community. The smiling and congenial Bill (also known as Willie) Henrichs has been the owner since the early 1970s.

Willie was born in Hanover, Germany with his six brothers and sister he saw hard times in his country as he grew up. In March of 1964, Willie came to the USA in search of a better life. Working in a deli in Manhasset as a clerk gave him experience.

Several months later Willie met Edith Ehrenbert, who had also emigrated to this country from Germany. They were married and shortly after bought their own business, a deli in Astoria.

They were blessed with a son Peter, and then a daughter Sandy. In 1969 they purchased a home in Mineola and their dream was fulfilled.

In 1970, they purchased Kuck's Deli and their business has succeeded for many years. Even though they suffered a fire at their business, they were quick to rebuild. Willie was the one who quickly alerted the tenants upstairs.

Willie represents dedication to his business, his customers and his family.

Whether it is in helping with the Mineola Fair, the senior citizens, as a dentist or mentor, Dr. Ronald Nagelberg has gotten involved in the community. Ron has a way with his employees; he takes an interest in them and tries to cultivate their interest in furthering their goals in the workplace and with life in general.

Whenever, there is a special project within the chamber of commerce, Ron is there. "What can I do to help?" is his usual question.

Alfred Ford of Willis Hobbies purchased the small business on Jan. 1, 1970. It had originally been started in 1949 in the heart of Mineola on Willis Avenue, hence the name. Later, it moved to Mineola Boulevard, where the business began to grow. Al loved hobbies and it was his passion, which he passed on to his children. He was the chamber secretary "forever" since nobody else wanted the job. He also served on several boards during the reign of Mayor Ed Smith. Yet all through this he worked long and hard. Many hours were spent away from his lovely wife Peggy and his three children but he was to quickly remedy that. He encouraged his children to become part of the business yet always made it fun and there was always plenty of time with dad. He always made sure of that. It somehow made the children feel respected because they were always a part of the business. This gave each a strong sense of responsibility at a young age. He always encouraged the children to "give back to community." Steven Ford is a board member on the Mineola Chamber of Commerce. He was welcomed with open arms when he joined because his father was a very active man in the community. Steve has followed in his father's footsteps when it came to giving to the community in various capacities in the Mineola Chamber of Commerce. Steven currently runs the family business, Willis Hobbies, and is well respected throughout the community as an honest businessman and a caring member of the community.

John Collins just recently retired from the Mineola School District. A teacher for 31 years, John started out as an English teacher and then evolved into his becoming the developer of the "First Morning Television Program" at Mineola High School. Having a way with technology and wanting to share his knowledge with his students, John designed and developed the Mineola Public Access Studio. He negotiated with Micro band to formulate the first studio transmission to the Empire State Building.

Word has it that John was and I am sure still is "an extremely popular teacher" in Mineola High. He was very dedicated and influenced the lives of many children. John also serves as the public relations person for the school district and attends all of the board meetings. He is known as the voice of Mineola since he is a witty speaker and has a quick wit. John also coaches Rugby and is an adjunct professor at C.W. Post College.

Teresa Perrotta Richards, president of the Mineola Teachers Association, was born in what is now Winthrop-University Hospital and raised in Williston Park. The eldest of six children, Teresa is a product of the Mineola Schools and graduate of Mineola High School. She completed her bachelor's degree at St. John's University and earned her master's degree at C.W. Post. During her 20 plus years as a teacher in Mineola, Teresa first taught special education in both the high school and the middle school and then went on to teach elementary school in Hampton Street, Cross Street and Meadow Drive schools. Teresa is the mother of three children, Corinna, Michael and Katelynn and the proud grandmother of Michaela, her first grandchild. She has been an active member of St. Aidan's Parish where she served as a lector. During her time with the Mineola Teachers Association Teresa has held every elected office including building representative, a negotiator, the grievance coordinator, the secretary, the vice-president and the president.

Louis Santosus, Jr. has been an integral part of this community for many years. He served as a village trustee from 1983 through 1989, taking a short break and returning to serve from 1994 to present. Lou gives to this community endlessly.

This special "We Are Mineola" award is being presented to Lou for the time and dedication he gave to the restoration and renovation of the Mineola Memorial Library. There were countless hours of meeting with contractors, staff and vendors.

In addition, Lou has served his community in various other ways through all his years in Mineola, including his service in the Mineola Fire Department, where he once served as chief.

2002 "We are Mineola" Award Winners

Scott Strauss, Mineola Fire Department

Steven Ford, Mineola Hobbies

Alfred Ford, Mineola Hobbies (Retired)

John Collins, Mineola School District

Theresa Richards, Mineola School District

Dr. Ronald Nagelberg, L.I. Dental Center

Walter Crosby, Resident and Mineola Fire Department

Louis Santosus, Jr., Deputy Mayor and Trustee, Village of Mineola

William Henrichs, Kuck's Delicatessen and Yogurt

Jack Hehman, Former President of Mineola Historical Society (Deceased)