Star Ledger - Letters to the Editor Posted July 15, 2007
Dear Editor:
I was saddened by the context in which the second article by Brad Parks from the special series Crossroads places the deaths of Newark Fire Captain Michael Moran and Newark Police Detective Fred Toto. The reader is asked to consider that their deaths were not caused by murdering snipers but by friendly fire as a result of over aggressive police actions or frightened national guardsmen. Are Moran and Toto any less worthy of being on the side of good? Were they not good guys? Or are they just stereo typed in the article to make a point? These two fine men reported for duty on the day of their deaths knowing full well what they were facing. For years prior to that summer both men acted as they did the night they died. They showed up for duty offering their lives to the people of Newark. Now, 40 years later to have them listed on some score sheet to help justify someone's opinion about how they died is a sad statement about what we have learned from the riot.
John B. Sandella Verona, NJ The writer is president of Newark Fire Officers Union Local 1860
John, Did they actually print your letter? They didn't print the one I wrote ten years ago when they neglected to even mention Mike Moran was killed during the riots. Anyone who showed up for work those nights was a hero.
Neal --------------------------------------------
Neal, Congratulations on the Book and the web site. Forty years later, the rest of the world will finally know what our guys did. I will be sending in for a copy. This is an important documentary of our department. The historical value, to not only the general public but to our brothers and their families is priceless. Thanks Neal.
If you get a chance, watch Point of View tomorrow (7/10) at 10 - 11:30 pm. on Channel 13 PBS. The show is a look at the Newark riots. I don't know if they even mention the fire department, but it should be interesting. I cover the FD end of it in a book based on company journals and interviews. Send me an e-mail if you're interested.
I understand that the PBS film makes a hero out of that bum, Tom Hayden. In all that I have read in the Ledger no mention is made of the outstanding work of the fire guys and the abuse we took during those dark days. They all seem to discount the sniper fire. I know that the National Guard did a lot of unnecessary shooting, but LIFE magazine ran an exclusive interview with people who identified themselves as snipers. Also we recorded several instances of fire houses being taken under fire including Six Engine when I was there as Fourth Battalion Chief. Oh well, there is a tendency to rewrite history.
Take care, Ed Wall
Chief,
I attended a discussion of the book "No Cause for Indictment" at the New Jersey Historical Society for the sole purpose of pointing out to the panelists that the NFD was actually around during the riots. Not only that, but if they hadn't been there would have been no city to rebuild because you guys wouldn't have put out the fires. The room gave you a round of applause for all your hard work.
I watched it last night. You’re right they neglected to mention the Fire Dept. but it doesn’t surprise me, they had their own agenda and let a Communist, Tom Haden do most of the talking. I was there from beginning to end and he was the match that lit the fire, and then his disappeared into the woodwork. I want your book, just let me know the details of price and how to order.
The book bought back a lot of memories for me, especially when we were all recalled back to work. I spent that night on the corner of 15th and Bergen with 4 truck, an Irvington engine, and 15's hose wagon working a deluge set into a group of stores at that corner. Stayed till relieved at 9am so I and other 3rd tour guys could go home and get some sleep as we were due in at 6pm for our regular tour. Then the fun really began.
Great job in research and reporting the "RIOT." I was driving Chief of the Department Joe Redden during the "RIOT." We stopped at Engine 6 for a cup of coffee with the guys about 1 A.M that Saturday. As we exited the gig we heard the sound of something hitting the ground. From the shadows of Engine 6 someone yelled to get out of there. It was then we noticed the flash of gunfire coming from windows in the project across the street. We got out of there in a hurry. What happened next is another story for your next great book.
Great job on this site and your books. Were it not for you, the legacy of our department would be lost. Much has changed since the riots except for the dedication of our members. Your books should be required reading for all new recruits.
I am not a Newark F/F, but Springfield and Hunterdon has a very special place in my heart, I became a Millburn F/F in 1962 and after a few months on the job I began to wonder just what this job (fire fighting) was all about. Then I heard about the Newark fire department allowing out of town firefighters to ride out with them. I decided to give it a try. As luck would have it in April of 1963 I walked into the firehouse on Springfield and Hunterdon. 6 Engine, tour 1 was working. I met Captain Fred Grehl and his crew, firefighters Fred Walters, Paul Hauser, Gary Conlan, and George Feeley. Well, from l963 until 1967 I would spend as much of my free time (as my wife would permit) there. After awhile I would ride with 5 Truck (Capt. Dan McCoy) and Rescue 1 (Capt Jim Morgan), but after a few weeks I would be back at Springfield and Hunterdon. Captain Grehl (later to be Deputy Chief) really took me by the arm into my first fire, a cockloft fire on Camden Street, where I got to use the Burrell mask. Along the way he encouraged me to "get into the books" which I did. Because of him I retired from the Millburn Department after 25 year of service as Chief of Department. So Engine 6 and the members of tour 1 will always have a special place in my heart.
Chief Lawrence Zazzera (retired) Millburn Fire Department
After reading "A View from the Firehouse" for the third time since I received it a week ago, I must thank you for this special book, a book which will keep alive the personal experiences that the Newark firefighters went through during that dark time. It is also the story of the Newark Fire Department at its finest hours (days). It is a book that every firefighter, not just in Newark but throughout the state, should read. When they do I believe they will take a moment and give a tip of their hat and say "What an outstanding job those firefighters did under unbelievable conditions." I do hope you have the time and energy to do a second book on the Department and the Riots. I know I will be looking forward to it. Thanks again for all your hard work on this important part of Newark history. Stay well.
What can I say?? It's a GREAT book!! (A View from the Firehouse: The Newark Riots) It really tells a story that's gone untold for 40 years, I loved it! I read it all in one day!! I couldn't put it down!! By the way, I gave you a review and some free advertising.
Hank Przybylowicz
Here's the link:
Newark Fire History
Neal,
I was ECSTATIC when I opened the package and saw your new book, Becoming a Firefighter. Later that night, and the next, were spent reading it from cover-to-cover. I loved it!! I found it neither boring, or confusing. As I read each page my own memories came flooding back to me about areas of the city, the department, the guys I knew, and my own experiences.
My name is Kim Theobald. I'm a young teacher and think it is crucial for our younger generations to be introduced to this type of wonderful literature. There isn't a better way to tell the stories for generations to come. I can't put your books down and can't wait for your next books to be published! Keep up the great work.
I used some of the stories from Becoming a Firefighter in my lesson today. It fit in perfect, and the kids really enjoy reading them. Thanks again.
-Kim
Thank you for the encouragement. The effort you put out to comment and your thoughts add fuel to our little endeavor so we can keep going. They are especially valuable to me because as a young teacher you can understand my desire to preserve the past so future generations can learn from it and maybe avoid some of my generation's mistakes.
Neal
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Neal,
I've received and enjoyed all the volumes of the oral
history and thought
they were accurate. I grew up in Newark
and had my last child at St
Michael Hospital four days before the riot in 1967. My brother-in-law and my
father-in-law were both firemen. All the men I knew in the department are long
retired or passed away.
Thanks for all your hard work on this important history; I
appreciate the work that went into writing them. Reading these books is a sad
walk down memory lane.
Pat Rush
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Your thoughts are welcome. Tell us what you think about the books, web-site, or any thing else that might help improve the Oral History Project.
