Badge of Courage Gala [10-18-19]

The Nassau County Firefighters Museum held its Badge of Courage celebration on the night of Friday, October 18th, 2019. The event helps raise money for the museum to ensure its staff can continue to restore and display various pieces of Nassau County fire service history. The celebration was held at the museum and during the ceremony four people were honored/recognized. Mark and John Cronin of John’s Crazy Socks were presented the Firefighters Humanitarian Award for their charity work and helping those with special needs. Erin Colton, of Long Island News 12, was presented the Keith Lane Memorial Excellence in Journalism Award for her coverage of the Nassau County fire service. The award she received is named after Keith Lane of the Oceanside Fire Department who passed away in the line of duty in 2016. He most notably worked for Fox but always found the time to ensure the museum was highlighted. Lastly, Michael Ornauer of the Long Beach Fire Department and Allen Walther of the North Bellmore Fire Department were inducted into the museum’s hall of fame. Each gave countless hours as employees of the museum before they passed away only one month apart in 2019. Following the ceremony their was live music by The Mystic.