Firefighter Jim Groome, Kennett No. 1 Fire Co with Vintage 1974 Ford Bruco Pumper

Come out and see the truck at the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival, Saturday May 19th noon til 6pm. If you would like to donate funds for the truck purchase and maintenance, there is more information at the bottom of this post and a link to our sponsor, Fractured Atlas.

New Challenges for East Kensington 

Posted by Jeff Carpineta, President East Kensington Neighbor’s Association and Jesse J. Gardner, Unsung Heroes Gallery

On April 9th, Firefighter Dan Sweeney and Lieutenant Robert Neary, both of Ladder 10, lost their lives in a fire disaster that began with a lack of care.

FF Dan Sweeny

Lt Robert Neary

Firefighters Francis Cheny and Patrick Nally were seriously injured. A neighborhood landmark, the Thomas Buck Hosiery Factory complex, was destroyed.

End of the Day by Theresa Stigale (click image for more)

We are now called to do all that we can to shore up the foundation of care and respect in East Kensington: To make it abundantly clear that our desire for a safe and living neighborhood will prevail over the forces of abuse, neglect, and destruction.

Firefighters and the awe-inspiring tools of their trade are what stand at the battle line between care and destruction. They have a powerful spiritual presence that touches the hearts of us all.

Firefighters are everyone’s hero; they fight to protect life and property no matter how grand or humble; they do this for everyone, everywhere, at any hour. And we, neighbors of East Kensington, are committed to the same call against destruction and the same belief in a secure and vital future.

We have an opportunity, through our friendship with Firefighters John Morris of Avondale Fire & Rescue Company 23 and Jim Groome of Kennet No. 1 Fire Company, to purchase a retired Fire Engine at a deeply discounted price. John and Jim come from multi generational firefighter families, and like first responders everywhere,  have followed the Kensington fire disaster closely since the early morning hours of April 9^th. They understand and support our vision to use this rig as a powerful tool of community inspiration.

Avondale FF John Morris III and son John Morris IV, Baltimore FD

HOW THE TRUCK WILL SERVE

We are called to this proud red truck, and it is called to us…. to power events, to be a first aid station at gatherings, promote safety, lead parades and celebrations, inspire children and touch the kid-heart of all people in the way that these gorgeous engines do, and have done now for over a century. This Fire Engine will be a powerful point of light in a difficult time, and a message will be delivered, quite literally from its horns and decks, that care will prevail.  It will be owned and maintained by Kensington’s own Unsung Heroes Gallery, and loaned to the East Kensington Neighbors Association on an as-needed basis.

This truck will be a mobile testament to our First Responders, with an artist’s tribute to  FF Sweeny and Lt. Neary painted on the side, showing our gratitude to them and the Philadelphia Fire Department. Showing in word and deed that we will NEVER forget 4-9-12, that this community will always honor and remember the sacrifice they made defending us.

Firefighter Roll Call at Vigil for the Lost, with Jeff Carpineta and Jesse Gardner. Photo by Yu Hong Chen

At a recent vigil for the lost, standing in front of the charred ruins of the factory, we made a pledge to local firefighters and neighbors to push back against the forces of destruction with a sturdy commitment to life and to each other. We made a promise to do our utmost to prevent further losses, to care for our built environment, and to forever honor our fallen heroes.

This Fire Truck is a symbol of our commitment to the protection of life and property in our neighborhood, and will be cherished by all in years to come.

We are calling on you to help give this Fire Engine new life in East Kensington.

Our Goal is to raise $6,500 to cover purchase, registration, insurance, repairs, and maintenance/storage for 1 year. Pledges of $250-$500 are suggested to help us reach our goal in the next 10 days, but all giving is appreciated.

All donors will be acknowledged on the Unsung Heroes Gallery facebook website at UnsungHeroesGallery and at a celebratory event. Donors of $250 or more will have their names engraved on a plaque that will be mounted on the truck.

Unsung Heroes Gallery is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organisation. Contributions for the purposes of the Fire Truck Purchase must be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Please click on the Fractured Atlas link shown here, which will take you to the Fractured Atlas website where  you can make a donation by major credit card.

You may also pay by check, made payable to Fractured Atlas with “in support of Fire Truck” written in the memo line. Please mail to: Unsung Heroes Gallery, 2024 East Arizona Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125.

Thank you for your generous support!

The Gallery is open by appointment. Please call 267-702-6820 and we will do our utmost to accommodate your schedule.

If you would like to read more about the history of the Unsung Heroes Portrait Series, visit jessejgardner.com

To learn more about the East Kensington Neighbors Association,visit Ekna.org

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC

PLEASE NOTE UPDATE TO OPENING HOURS:

This Sunday, from 3-6 PM, our firefighter portrait gallery at 2012-24 East Arizona Street will be open to honor Lt. Robert P. Neary, 60, and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, 25 both assigned to Ladder 10 at Kensington and Castor Avenues. Beverages and light refreshments will be served.

At 6:00 PM the Gallery will close so all can attend:   

A VIGIL  FOR THE FALLEN and INJURED FIREFIGHTERS and ALL THOSE IMPACTED BY THIS DISASTER

WHERE:  Site of the fire, Between York and Boston Street by Jasper

WHEN:    SUNDAY, APRIL 15th, 2012  6PM

Following the vigil, the gallery will re-open and remain open until 10pm.

Lt. Kreuscher, FDNY with (l-r) PFD Rescue 1 firefighter David Herron and Lt. Shawn Glynn Sr.

On display are a number of large scale oil portraits of FDNY firefighters and officers, including Lt. Dennis Mojica who perished on 9/11 in the service of his country. The gallery is located at 2012-24 East Arizona Street between Coral and Emerald, just two blocks from the tragic fire scene where the two firefighters lost their lives fighting the massive Thomas Buck Hosiery Building Fire on Monday, April 9th.  Losing these men is a reminder to us all that these dedicated public servants have a dangerous job, and put their lives at risk every day to protect our community. We honor them for their commitment and sacrifice, and stand with their families and their fellow firefighters at this difficult time.

Sign-in table at the Gallery. Lt. Kreuscher took down and folded our flag, which was damaged in the wind. We will always treasure this flag and keep it folded as a symbol of the respect that this former military man and fire commander holds for his country.

Our little Loading Dock Gallery at 2012-24 East Arizona Street in Philadelphia was the  venue for an exciting book signing event  for retired FDNY Lt. George R. Kreuscher on October 15th. It was a memorable afternoon, with the guests of honor the firefighters of Rescue 1 Philadelphia, who arrived in their specialized Rescue Apparatus.

Rescue 1 Apparatus parked across from the Gallery

Lt. Kreuscher with (l-r) Rescue 1 firefighter David Herron and Lt. Shawn Glynn Sr.

Some of these firefighters know Kresucher, having had him as an instructor at “The Rock,” the FDNY training facility on Randall’s Island. http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/units/fire_academy/fa_index.shtml

My daughter Alana listens to the reading. Portrait of Kreuscher's firefighter son George in the background.

Lt. Kreuscher read the opening chapter from his memoir “Fireman,” which relives the events of 9/11 from the perspective of someone who has responded to thousands of alarms in his 31 year career and knows the routine of the doomed firefighters making their way up the smoky stairwells of the Twin Towers while civilians pass them on the way down. Hearing his routine listing of every minute detail of command structure, readiness, and gear, was profoundly moving. Firefighters are people who notice things, whose job it is  to be vigilant and watchful, who have real skills. There were tears shed among the assembled gallery-goers as he read through the passage describing the firefighter’s ascent through the stairwells, and George choked up at several points.

Neighbors, friends and family listen to the reading. George's son, former FDNY firefighter George Kreuscher is second from left. Kreusher family members, including Lt. Kreuscher's wife Mary stand at far right.Kreuscher's son, a retired FDNY firefighter also named George Kreuscher, sang "Danny Boy" in a beautiful tenor, a first for these events. This is a song often performed at firefighter funerals. When I finally figure out how to compress the file, I'll upload the video.The author reading, with portraits of three Rescue 1 firefighters in background.

It was fitting to hear this song performed on a day when the visiting Rescue 1 firefighters laid to rest one of their own, Lt. Richard M. Benditt. He was one of 18 Philadelphia FEMA firefighters who worked at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the attacks. The obituary linked below discusses how prevalent cancer is among this group who worked long hours with minimal protective gear in the toxic stew at the World Trade Center site, and slept in their gear on cots at the Convention Center. This is the untold story of 9/11 and not enough is being done to help those who are ill and who have already died before their time. I hope you will take time to read about his life and write some words of condolence for his family.

http://www.honoringheroes.com/2011/10/pennsylvania-line-of-duty-death-lieutenant-richard-m-benditt/

Kreuscher signs book for school teacher Amy Nicole Heintz (from a New York firefighter family), Kreuscher's 1993 portrait in the background.

Author Kreuscher sold 10 books, which is quite successful considering our tiny venue and zero coverage in the media (yes, we sent out press releases to all media outlets). After 20 years of organizing these events, I have come to realize that stories of the stoic men and women who protect our communities  will never be as newsworthy as Kim Kardashian’s derriere or Justin Bieber’s haircut. One reception and book signing at a time, my goal has been and will continue to be, to illuminate this  unique  narrative of true American selflessness and personal sacrifice. Thanks to all who attended, and I look forward to seeing you at our next event.

Firefighter Edward Brown of Rescue and I discuss the portrait of Firefighter Sheldon Wright. Just like Firefighter Wright, firefighter Brown seems larger than life in person, and projects an alertness and decency that is the hallmark of a good firefighter and civic role model.

Hi Jesse,

 I am settled in Singapore and very happy to be back here. I am quite relaxed here. There is something about this city that agrees with me.

 When I read the name “George Kreuscher” a lot of memories came up.  Before I was a Lieutenant, I was a firefighter in Ladder 4. Rescue 1 was in our Battalion. So I would get detailed to Rescue occasionally. I remember working with George on the “back step” of Rescue. He told me a story I never forgot.

 I was a young firemen, George was a pretty senior guy at Rescue. George was talking casually at one point during the tour and mentioned how he made sure he always kissed his wife goodbye when he left because there was no certainty of his coming home. 

 When you were describing his writing as being without drama, I remembered that conversation.  What he said, although deeply poignant, was said without drama or angst.  It was just a fact of his life that he accepted.  I never forgot it.

 I never thought much about being injured or killed. When I was accepted for the job, I spent three days considering the danger. I decided it was a calculated risk worth taking, made a promise to be careful and never much thought about it again. I used to feel bad for fearful firefighters. I often thought they would have been better off doing something else.  George’s [approach to life] was another thing I had not considered.  He was totally cognizant of the danger, but was unafraid anyway, He accepted it. There is a level of depth to that consciousness I admire.

 I just finished a blog post; you may be interested in it.

 charliehub.blogspot.com

Book Cover featuring my portrait of Kreuscher

George spent 31 years on the front lines of the FDNY, many of them in Rescue 1, which was decimated in the collapse of the Twin Towers on 9/11.

I don’t have much time to read these days, but I read this book cover to cover. George has a way of stating things simply, without irony or sentiment that grips you from the opening chapter and doesn’t let go til the end.

George has a son on the “job” and another retired from the Fire Service (George Jr., whose portrait is in the exhibit. Read about the portrait here: http://www.jessejgardner.com/unsung_portraits_ff_kreuscher_2.html).

Firefighter Kreuscher

Fire Service Paramedic Beth Glynn & Lt. Shawn Glynn Sr. with the Artist

It was an emotional reception, with local residents and longtime followers of the portrait series in awe of the scale and power of the artwork. On a day when most First Responders were attending Civic events, it was a highlight of the afternoon when Lt. Shawn Glynn of Rescue 1visited with his wife, Fire Service Paramedic Beth Glynn.

David Gleeson of Crane Arts with the Artist

Artist Patita Shaday with Joe Fenton

The three portraits in this image are all of Rescue 1 firefighters

Miranda, with Sheila Modglin of Sunshine Arts

Mary Tracy (of SRUB & Scenic America), Alana Chen Gardner, and the Artist. Alana was 6 months old when the Twin Towers fell.

David D'Imperio (Right) took the Mojica portrait to Mojica's funeral in NYC on September 22, 2001, assisted by David Gleeson and the Artist

Miranda, and Amy Nicole Hientz (Amy is a public school teacher and from a NY firefighter family)

Audrey Wynne Gardner plays with a vintage fire truck

Fraidoon Al-Nakib (F.A.N. Gallery), Mary Tracy (SCRUB), and the Artist

Father and Daughter in front of Berkman portrait

The Loading Dock Gallery

Scott Winger with Fraidoon Al Nakib, of F.A.N. Gallery

Gallery Tour

Liberty Lands

Thanks to an 11th hour alert from Janet Finegar of the Liberty Lands Committee, Gardner entered the park into a competitive exhibit this past July; the Community Design Collaborative Leverage: Strengthening Neighborhoods by Design.

The exhibition presents fifty innovative community design projects and programs by design firms, nonprofit groups, and public agencies October 1 through 23 at the Center for Architecture, 1218 Arch Street.  Join us for the opening reception on Wednesday, October 5 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, co-hosted by GRID magazine.

The exhibit includes a 40″ x 40″ presentation board, outlining the history, design, construction & present day use of Liberty Lands Park, prepared by Public Works Studio founder Jesse Gardner and Graphic Designer Katrina Mansfield. The presentation can also be viewed at:  http://www.jessejgardner.com/LibLandArchive_presentation.jpg. It is a remarkable document and worth the time it will take to download.  James Lewes, Archivist