Temple Gates of Zion Remembrance [11-24-19]

On the evening of Sunday, November 24th, 2019 the Valley Stream Fire Department gathered at the Temple Gates of Zion on North Corona Avenue to mark the fortieth anniversary of the temple fire that took place there on Thanksgiving 1979 [November 22nd, 1979]. At the fire nearly one dozen firefighters were injured when the roof collapsed without warning. Among them were Captains John Tate Jr. [E341] and Michael Moran [344] who succumbed to their injuries in the weeks following the fire. At the Sunday evening remembrance a few words were said recalling that day and a wreath was placed in front of the temple. Once this was done members of the department relocated to Holy Name of Mary Church on East Jamaica Avenue for mass. An arch detail was setup outside the church and members proceeded in past the department’s color guard. At the mass the priest, bishop, village mayor, and Chief of Department Jason Croak all said a few words. Most notably Captains Tate Jr. and Moran were posthumously promoted to the rank of chief with badges presented on their behalf. A reception was held at the quarters of Nassau Hook and Ladder Company No. 1.