Remembering Paddy Brown

Miss You, Pat

October 2007: A new book Miss You, Pat: Collected Memories of NY’s Bravest of the Brave, Captain Patrick J. Brown about the fallen Ladder 3 captain has been published this month. Compiled by his close friend and former fiancée Sharon Watts, the book can be ordered on this web page: http://missyoupat.org/. See also the press release (.pdf, 13 KB)

See also the Captain Patrick Brown page at http://captpatrickbrown.org/

“Finding Paddy” and emails from Ireland

“Finding Paddy”, the new documentary about Captain Patrick J. “Paddy” Brown of Ladder Company 3, aired on the RTE channel in Ireland on September 5th, 2006.

A tribute to one Paddy from another Paddy

Dear Joan,

Tonight I watched a programme on RTE Television, from the comfort of my armchair in Lurgan, County Armagh. The programme was about your Paddy, and our family were deeply touched by what we learnt.

In July 2001 I visited New York—from Ireland—for the first time, accompanied by my husband Ivan. As a middle aged couple, we had promised ourselves that we must visit New York before we died as we agreed it was a unique experience we might never again repeat. We were visiting our son who was then working in Atlanta, Georgia. We made a special pilgrimage to New York and stood on the Brooklyn Bridge, gawping at the awesome spectacle of the Twin Towers. Later, we did the usual touristy things, taking the Staten Island ferry just to gawp some more at the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty—just as our own ancestors had done many years before us.

On that fateful morning of 9/11, I was working (as a teacher) when husband Ivan phoned me—in a panic! Our son was scheduled to take a plane from Boston at 8am on that morning. Helplessly we watched all day as the horrific details unfolded, and we wept in the privacy of our own home as we saw so much of your beautiful humanity being wiped out so callously. We learnt that our son was safe, but it also made us feel guilty for being glad, considering the terrible cost to the City of New York, and to the brave lads of Ladder 3—and all the other firemen who gave their life so selflessly to save others.

Since that day, I have always wanted to make a contribution to mark the deep regard we hold for our kin—those who emigrated from the ‘ould sod’ to ‘the promised land’, sharing our deep love and admiration for a land that honours freedom and democracy above all else—and demonstrating that love by laying down ones own life to save others.

It would be a privilege to my family if we could now do that—as a way of marking the remarkable life and honourable death of Paddy. Please let me know how I can achieve that.

I understand how you all must still be grieving at your sad loss. Paddy was a truly unique person. One who gave himself selflessly in order to save the lives of others. That is a hard rule for us mere mortals to live up to.

By way of comfort, I can only offer you—and Paddy, the traditional Gaelic blessing of our country.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

With deepest sympathy, and in remembrance of a truly remarkable human being.

Patricia (Pat) Herron (nee McShane) and Ivan Herron
Townland of Knocknashanev
County Armagh
Northern Ireland

September 6, 2006

Hi Joan

Just watched a TV programme about Paddy Brown on RTE in Ireland. I will say a pray for his soul that it may rest in peace.

Gerald King
County Carlow, Ireland

September 6, 2006

Hi Joan

My name is Marty Fearon. I'm 23 years old from Ireland.

Last night on tv there was a documentry screened about Paddy.

I had never heard tell of Paddy until last night.

What a man, a legend,and a hero.

It gives me great satisfaction that he is Irish/american.

People only think they are brave until they hear a story of man like Paddy Brown, Vietnam must have been horrific for many, but to came home, and turn into a fearless firefighter and save many is a credit to him.

I'm not much of a web-surfer, but after seeing that show last night i just got up this morning and wanted to know more. After the show before i went to bed i said a prayer for Paddy, and his family. The should be soo proud to have been a relative of his!!!

When they spoke of his Drinking and partying, he just has Irishness written all over him, but he still went into life threatening situations everyday with no fear or regard to his own life.

The story i seen last night left an effect on me that i will never forget, and i know will never forget the name Paddy Brown!

R.I.P Paddy

Marty

September 6, 2006

Pat was my neighbor. A quiet guy who always smiled and said hello on the elevator. And if anyone knows a Manhattan apartment building, that was a lot to get from a neighbor.

Before 9/11, I’m not sure how many people in the building knew about his legendary reputation as a fireman, I know that I didn’t. He was just “the friendly fireman from 11” to us—The guy who helped a neighbor who was recuperating from a bad car accident, got someone’s car started, gave someone a ride to work, gave a kid a boost to push the elevator buttons, stuff like that.

Since last September 11th and particularly since his memorial mass on 11/9, we’ve learned that his good deeds around Stuyvesant Town were nothing compared to what he did in his life. Since last year, I’ve been making a concerted effort to “Do a Paddy Brown” every day so that his legacy will continue. I think going forward, I may even do it as a “Ladder 3” to honor the twelve incredibly special men that were lost.

During the morning of Friday, September 13th, an area near Stuyvesant Town will be dedicated to his memory. Don’t know yet what time it will be. It’s being coordinated by the office of City Councilwoman Eva Moskowitz. more info, contact her pr person—Ingrid Lemmey email:ilemmey@earthlink.net

God Bless the twelve men lost on 9/11, their families and the FDNY.

Rosemary