When Jeanne Evans remembers her brother, New York Firefighter Bobby Evans, a smile comes to her face and she laughs thinking about the times the siblings would go on road trips together and prank each other on the phone.

"We had so much fun. All we did was get in trouble. Actually, I got in trouble and blamed it on him," she said. "We were great together. I loved him a lot. I still do."

Jeanne Evans also misses her brother who was taken from his family and friends on September 11, 2001 when he participated in the rescue effort that morning, but chooses to remember him with a smile on his face. "He only wanted happiness for us no matter what," she said.

As a symbol of Evans' zest for life, Jeanne Evans placed the lawn chair he would bring with him to Rath Park as well as his cooler, a handball and a can of beer under the street sign that would bear his name. Each person who attended the ceremony who had lost a family member or friend on September 11 placed a flower on the chair while Evelyn Fiore sang Wind Beneath My Wings.

Jeanne Evans tried to make the event a happy occasion, although there are times that are difficult. She even joked afterward perhaps in tribute to her brother's sense of humor. "If he's smiling, we should be smiling. Granted he's in a different place and doesn't have to pay for his beer," she said.

As terrible as the events of September 11 were, from the ashes and rubble of the fallen buildings and shattered lives have come stories of heroism of love and of the courage and compassion of the human spirit.

Just to put into perspective how many heroes emerged on that day, the Town of Hempstead has dedicated at least 20 of its streets to those who gave their lives trying to rescue others.

The Town of Hempstead, under the auspices of Supervisor Kate Murray, Town Councilman Ed Ambrosino and Receiver of Taxes Don Clain, continued to pay tribute to the victims of September 11, 2001 by dedicating Naple Avenue to Evans. The street will now be known as "Robert Evans Avenue" in memory of a man who gave his life in the rescue effort at the World Trade Center on September 11.

On that morning, members of Engine Company 33 including Evans, a seven-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department, rushed into the burning Twin Towers while others scrambled to get to safety in perhaps the largest rescue effort in the nation's history.

"Bobby Evans had the courage and strength to run into the World Trade Center as others were running out," said Town Councilman Ed Ambrosino. "By doing so, he helped saved the lives of occupants of the building who may not have otherwise escaped. We will never forget his heroism."

Although Evans lost his life, his memory is everlasting. Friend Mike Russo described him as a funny guy who always had a smile on his face. "The life of the party, let's put it that way," he said. "He made light of everything."

Fellow FDNY firefighter Dan Rowan remembers his friend and colleague as a true character who was fun to be with, fun to work with and fun to talk about. "He always made you laugh," he said. "He was a truly remarkable human being. Bobby brought joy and happiness wherever he went. He truly was a character you meet only once is a lifetime. There's not a day that goes by that we don't think about Bobby."

Although Evans lived on Franklin Avenue in Franklin Square, Naple Avenue on the corner of Jefferson Street was chosen because of its proximity to Rath Park where Evans played handball nearly every day. "Bobby spent a lot of time at Rath Park and it is appropriate that his name forever be tied to the road," said Supervisor Murray. "It is an honor to remember the life of Robert Evans."

"When you drive by, everyone will look up and know that a young, brave and handsome firefighter from Franklin Square did the best job he could to save lives on that fateful day and pay the ultimate sacrifice. Let his memory go on forever and be an inspiration," said Jeanne Evans.

Firefighter Rowan is convinced that Bobby Evans is still with all those who knew him. "Bobby is with you right now as you're standing here," he said.

Now, while on their way to Rath Park tp play handball or partake in some other activity, some residents will be reminded of Bobby Evans' display of heroism, passion for life and desire to make others smile.