Saturday, September 10, 2011

Remembering Lt. Glenn C. Perry, FDNY - Then and Now (part of Project 2996)

Then, 09/11/09:



It's a difficult thing to sit and write a tribute to a stranger and make it real. It becomes even more difficult when the person you are asked to write about is one of the true fallen heroes. I was asked by
Project 2996 to remember Lt. Glenn C. Perry today. Lt. Perry was a firefighter with Ladder Co. 25 but he was also so much more than that.

He was a husband to his wife Peggy and a dad to children Glenn Jr., Meaghan and Caitlin. He was a teacher at the Fire Academy. He was a police officer who realized his true calling was to be a firefighter as his father was and his brothers are/were. He was a man with many friends and people who respected him, looked up to him, appreciated him and learned from him

Lt. Perry also became a firefighter to have more time to spend with his family. From all I've read of this man he was a dedicated family man who had wonderful relationships with his children and a love of cooking for his wife. He ran in the NY Marathon and was active in the FDNY community.

He was a good looking man as well, everything you think of when you think of a firefighter. There is a story I read that said when he was training to be a firefighter he would be spotted running up and down the stairs of the Eltingville station in Staten Island carrying an oxygen tank. He was dedicated to his vocation and his commitment showed through in all he touched. Another story told of his offer to help a friend paint his house and while the friend was at work, the entire house was painted. This was the sort of man Lt. Glenn C. Perry was.

Those who write about Lt. Perry are quick to say he was 'always laughing' and the sort of person you felt good being around. A man who seemingly had it all and could have stayed insulated inside his own happy world but he did not. Instead he chose to go into a line of work that requires you to risk your life for others and into this he went willingly and with enthusiasm.

Lt. Perry was a man who touched people, it's evident from reading the entries in his Legacy book that haven't stopped being added as time has moved on. This is a man who was surrounded with goodness in his life and he gave back with all he had every day of his life. I am sorry I did not know Lt. Glenn C. Perry but I feel as if I've come to know him reading about him for this tribute.

Lt. Glenn C. Perry was indeed a true American hero and it was my honour and pleasure to write for him and to remember him and all those who gave their lives that day.

I think the biggest 'find' I came across looking Lt. Perry up was this video I am posting. His wife Peggy is in it and it is a gathering of friends and family to celebrate the life of Lt. Perry. Not his death, his life. His spirit celebrated at a Memorial Picnic. It touched me, it made cry, it made me appreciate all that Lt. Perry did and sacrificed for the rest of us. It made me want to know this man and it made me want to run out and hug a firefighter. To see all these people here for this man 8 years later says so much more than anything I can say here.

In closing, thank you Lt. Glenn C. Perry. Thank you for your dedication, devotion and commitment. Thank you for giving the ultimate sacrifice. You and those who were lost with you will never ever be forgotten by myself and so many others.

God bless Lt. Glenn C. Perry, firefighters and those who serve their country and/or community and God bless America.

We will never forget.



_____________________________________________________________

Now, 9/11/11



Of my three tributes I had the most trouble with this one. It was hard enough to write the first time, the first responders deserve a special place in our hearts and our memories so I truly wanted to make this one special. I went on a bit of a journey to learn as much as I could about Lt. Glenn Perry that I hadn't learned the first time.

I was fortunate enough to come across a video (posted below) about Lt. Perry but also for all those in the FDNY and NYPD who were lost that day. When I contacted the man who made the video I discovered he was a cousin to Lt. Perry's wife Peggy. He was gracious enough to speak to me at length about Lt. Perry and it confirmed what I learned when I first looked him up - Lt. Perry was a special kind of man. The kind of man who truly embodied the spirit of what a firefighter is in his dedication to people. Lt. Perry was the one who would be found helping his friends or his neighbours any time they needed help. No asking required, if Lt. Perry saw someone who needed help he simply offered. I learned how the first video I posted was not a one-time event, there have been many annual gatherings to celebrate the life of Lt. Perry, not just the one video I had seen. I learned he was one of those rare souls who was genuinely liked be all who knew him and I learned how he made those around him feel good with his wit and smile and compassion. I could hear the affection in my new friend's voice with every word he spoke and I got off the phone feeling sad and happy at the same time. Sad at the loss of such a rare man and happy to know his family continues to celebrate his life and all the good he did and was and will always be.

This is the video I speak of, used with permission of its creator James Riley, it speaks for itself. Thank you for talking to me about Lt. Perry.



I still wanted more so I continued to search Lt. Perry and the next thing I discovered that touched me deeply was this breathtaking memorial in Washingtonville, NY that honours 5 fallen firefighters from the ares and Lt. Perry is one of them. The memorial sits in a park and is surrounded by bricks with the name of every first responder who gave the ultimate sacrifice on that day. In these two pictures you can make out Lt. Perry's name and assignments. I want to visit this park and see the memorial, I want to honour Lt. Perry and all the names there by going and saying thank you. The park and the memorial were created with money raised through donations and auctions for the bricks, just another testament to how deeply Lt. Perry and his fallen brethren touched so many of us.



The next thing I came across that made me tear up was an article about a man
whose name I remembered as he left a comment on my first post, Rich Hays. Mr. Hays is a Captain in his own fire department in Michigan and for years has been wearing a bracelet with Lt. Perry's name on it. He has never met Lt. Perry but he was so deeply touched by this man and the others that it moved him to become a member of that selfless group of people known as firefighters.

I attach a video now of Rich Hays carrying a flag for Lt. Perry and speaking of him at the Healing Fields where flags are being planted out of love and honour. Ten years later and this man is still deeply moved by a stranger, that is a rare and special bond.

One volunteer tied to 9/11 firefighter: woodtv.com

I learned that Lt. Perry's son, Glenn Jr. is now a firefighter as well. Thank you, Glenn Jr.

Every once in a blue moon you may be lucky enough to come across a person who truly impacts you. These people are hard to find but when you do find them, you never forget them and what they meant to you. Lt. Perry really does live on in so many ways and continues to touch and inspire people. His Legacy book is full of people leaving words to say they remember, strangers and friends. I feel as if I too have made a friend in Lt. Glenn Perry and will continue to carry his memory and his love of life and helping others with me. Maybe the next time I see someone who needs help I'll stop and take the time to offer because it's what Lt. Glenn C. Perry, FDNY would have done.

Never forgotten, always loved, you continue to lead us Lt. Glenn C. Perry. On this day 10 years later I say thank you again and make a promise to try and be a better person in your honour.

In memory of and in tribute to Lt. Glenn C. Perry, FDNY.

Age: 41
Place of Residence: Monroe, NY
Location on 9/11: WTC
Occupation: FDNY




(written as a part of Project 2996, original pot 9/11/09)

1. Excellent tribute. Good job and thank you for introducing me to Lt. Perry.

   Cathy  on  09/11  at  08:00 AM

2. This is still the best tribute I have found. Good work. It is very moving to see the wall with the 5 names on it. I have done a lot of looking and had yet to see this! I am will going to NYC in 2012 and will make plans to visit this. Thanks again!343

    on  09/12  at  09:03 AM

3. Thank you for your beautiful words in remembrance of my dad, Lt. Glenn Perry. The thought and dedication you put into this has definitely shown. It truly makes my family and I very happy to see people that didn’t even know my dad become impacted so much by him. All the stories you’ve read or heard from my mom’s cousin Jimmy are correct, he truly was an amazing man with a smile that could light up a room. We miss and remember him everyday and I want you to know how honored he would be to have people like you and Rich Hays write or talk about him with such pride.

   The monument shown above is beautiful, and even more beautiful in person. Yesterday my family and I were there along with people from all over our community holding candles and thinking of all the heroes lost that day.

   Thank You,
   Caitlin Perry

    on  09/12  at  04:01 PM

4. Caitlin,

   Thank you for your kind words and for coming by to read my tribute.  It meant a lot to me to have the honour of writing it and knowing it was read by you touched me deeply.

   I wish only the best for you and your family and I thank you again for your comment.  You will all be in my heart and my thoughts when I make my visit to the memorial.

   Heatherlyn/WebKittyn

   WebKittyn  on  09/12  at  04:23 PM

5. Writing a tribute to a person whom you doesn’t know is really hard. You have to make a research of his life first before you can write anything from him.

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