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MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ – On Sunday, October 7, the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office held the 2007 Monmouth County Medal Day / Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service at the Ocean Grove's Firefighters Park located on Main Avenue in Ocean Grove.

During the opening ceremony led by Monmouth County Fire Marshal Tim Smith, the colors were posted by an honor guard from the Fort Monmouth Fire & Emergency Services, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag led by Deputy Fire Marshal Kevin Stout. An invocation was given by Chaplain Harry Carter of the Adelphia Fire Company.

Fire Marshal Smith then introduced the guests and gave the opening remarks. A wreath was then placed at the Memorial by Monmouth County Fire Marshal Smith and Deputy Fire Marshal Hank Stryker. A prayer for the souls of deceased was then offered by Chaplain Carter followed by Deputy Fire Marshal Tony Vecchio reading of the names of the forty two (42) line of duty deaths that have occurred in Monmouth County. Fire Marshal Smith then offered comments praising the valiant services that the deceased performed.

Fire Marshal Smith made the presentations of the medals and awards. He stated that today’s honorees “… are very special and dedicated individuals. They are firefighters that without hesitation at the sound of their tones leave the safety and security of their families, homes and places of work and answer the call; often placing their own lives on the line while working to save the lives and property of others. These firefighters are truly heroes and today we will honor them and cheer for them. They are a credit to their fire departments, to their municipalities and to Monmouth County. I offer my thanks to all the honorees and to all firefighters of Monmouth County who perform their duties in an outstanding and professional manner daily”.

Summary of awards –

Medal of Valor was awarded to Firefighter Keith DeLaura, Firefighter William Newberry and Firefighter Craig Brinier of the Wall Fire Company #1. On January 21, 2006 FF DeLaura, FF Newberry, and FF Brinier responded to a structural fire at the Glenn Wall Apartments in Wall Township. They were recognized for there rescue efforts performed at unusual personal risk. This operation resulted in the successful rescue of an 85 year old male from a well involved apartment fire. The victim died as a result of injuries sustained approximately 3 1/2 weeks after the incident while being treated in the burn center.

Medal of Valor was awarded to Captain Joseph Eskridge, Firefighter 2nd Lt. Charles "Chad" Murphy Jr., Ex-Chief Charles "Reed" Murphy Sr. and Ex-Chief Peter J. Lang IV of the Sea Bright Fire Department. On February 5, 2007 Capt. Eskridge, 2nd Lt. Murphy, Ex-Chief Murphy & Ex-Chief Lang responded to a structural fire at the Fountains Condos, Sea Bright.
They were recognized for the rescue efforts performed at great personal risk. This operation resulted in the successful rescue of a 47 year old female victim who was trapped on the second floor balcony of a well involved apartment fire. This operation were also conducted during extreme winter weather conditions. The victim dies approximately 3 weeks after the incident while being treated in the burn center.

Investigative Medal was awarded to 2nd Deputy Fire Marshal Philip C. Payne of the Monmouth County Fire Marshal's Office. DFM Payne was awarded the investigative medal in recognition of 24 years of extraordinary service as Deputy Fire Marshal. His professionalism, thoroughness and dedication has resulted in numerous successful fire investigations.

Administrative Medal was awarded to Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Pujat - Past President of the Monmouth County Fire Prevention & Protection Association. DFM Pujat was awarded the administrative medal in recognition of his 8 years of administrative service to the Association. During his last year as President, DFM Pujat applied for and received a federal fire grant in the amount of $70,000.00 for the purchase of an all hazards fire safety smoke / sprinkler educational trailer to used around the County.

Also presented by the Monmouth County Fire Prevention & Protection Association was the Monmouth County Fire Prevention Inspector of the Year, which was awarded to Cary Costa from the Borough of Tinton Falls.

In closing Fire Marshal Smith congratulated all the recipients of the awards and stated, “… you have exemplified and upheld the traditions of the fire service, we are grateful to you for your efforts”. He also thanked the following individuals for their assistance with the ceremony: Ocean Grove Board of Fire Commissioners, Ocean Grove Fire Department, Kevin Devlin Neptune Township Office of Emergency Management, Firefighter Nick Vecchio Keyport Fire Department, Photographer Pete Massas, Bagpipers – Kevin Keddy of the Asbury Park Fire Department and Gary Clayton of the Monmouth County Police Pipes & Drums, and the Color Guard from Fort Monmouth Fire & Emergency Services.

The following names of our fallen brothers will be etched forever in our hearts and in our minds and now permanently in the Monmouth County Fallen Firefighters Memorial Registry. They will never be forgotten and always remembered.

FF William H. Conrow -7/18/1881- Red Bank Fire Department
FF Jacob Leyrer -12/23/1889 - Keyport Fire Department
Asst. Chief Frank Fees - 8/10/1903 - Asbury Park Fire Department
FF James Vandebschoten - 9/4/1912 - Asbury Park Fire Department
FF Raymond Dinen - 1925 - Long Branch Fire Department
FF H. Wilbur Lloyd - 1925 - Long Branch Fire Department
FF Harry Vernall - 01/26/26 - Red Bank Fire Department
FF Lloyd Layton - 03/24/1927 - Unexcelled, Neptune Twp
FF Charles Scohn - 1929 - Keansburg Fire Department
FF Henry Vierning - 1932 - Ocean Grove Fire Department
FF Leroy Van Schoick - 08/08/33 - Freehold Fire Department
FF Lester Van Schoick - 08/08/33 - Freehold Fire Department
FF Joseph Storey - 08/11/33 - Freehold Fire Department
FF Robert Kilcomons - 9/26/38 - Matawan Fire Department
FF Phillip Dittmar - 04/06/40 - Adelphia Fire Company, Howell
FF H. Raymond Phillips - 11/07/41 - Red Bank Fire Department
FF Irwin H. Schein - 12/29/52 - Asbury Park Fire Department
FF John Felton - 02/15/1956 - Freehold Fire Department
Ex-Chief Frederick Foerster -1959 - Keansburg Fire Department
FF Jacob A. Bloom, Sr. - 12/23/60 - Red Bank Fire Department
FF Robert Pierce - 1961 - Long Branch Fire Department
FF Al Macmoryle - 04/21/1963 - Tinton Falls Fire Company #1
Ex-Chief Ed Plunkett - 01/23/65 - Keansburg Fire Department
FF Nicholas Ciazza - 09/12/67 - Red Bank Fire Department
FF Vincent Esposito - 09/77 - Keansburg Fire Department
FF Francis Schmedes - 03/10/74 - Highlands Fire Department
FF Natalie T. Bruno - 10/13/77 - Asbury Park Fire Department
FF Alfred T. Landwehr - 11/27/1977 - Freehold Fire Department
FF John W. Franklin Sr. - 01/29/82 - Highlands Fire Department
FF Frank Strongoli - 3/21/83 - West Keansburg Fire Department
Chief James Carbin Jr. - 1/30/84 - Millstone Township Fire Company
FF Michael W. Thorne - 7/03/84 - West Long Branch Fire Department
Ex-Chief Gustave Dirner - 10/11/87 - Union Beach Fire Department
FF John Somay - 1/15/93 - Southard Fire Department, Howell
FF Glen T. Thorn - 2/09/94 - Sea Girt Fire Department
Ex-Chief Charles Quackenbush - 4/28/94 - Keansburg Fire Department
FF Thomas P. Ryan - 12/30/97 - Middletown Fire Department
Asst. Chief Ronald Osadacz - 01/11/00 - Morganville Fire Company
FF Robert Feeney - 01/16/02 - Long Branch Fire Department
FF George D. Petrosky - 11/09/03 - Matawan Fire Department
Capt. Ronald Fitzpatrick - 12/06/03 - Long Branch Fire Department
FF Jospeh Walsh - 09/18/05 - Keansburg Fire Department