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
Neal, 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
Chief
Larry Zazzera
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Neal,
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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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.
