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American Morning

Fallen Heroes: Funerals Today for New York Firefighters

Aired June 21, 2001 - 09:37   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: This is a day of mourning for New York firefighters: funerals this morning for three -- two of three firefighters killed in the line of duty on Father's Day.

CNN's Jason Carroll joins us now. He is in Long Beach, New York -- good morning, Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Leon.

As you can see behind me, there are hundreds of people who are already gathered out in front of St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church. Thousands more are expected to attend these funeral services for these men. I want to start out by showing you the men that all of these people have come out to pay their respects to.

First, Harry Ford. He was 50 years old. He took great pride in being a firefighter. He is survived by his wife Denise and their three children. Next, we have Brian Fahey. He was 46 years old. His nickname was chubby. Apparently he liked the name as much as he liked doing his work. He is survived by his wife Mary. They also have three children. Services will take place for him later this afternoon. And finally, we have John Downing. He was 40 years old. He is survived by his wife Anna and two kids. Services for him will take place tomorrow.

Now, as we come out back here live here, Leon, as you look at all of these people, I want to tell you that some 10,000 firefighters from all over the country are expected to attend these services. They're coming away from as far north as Montreal, as far west as California. I had the opportunity to speak to one firefighter early this morning from New Hampshire and he told me that being a firefighter is like being in a brotherhood. And when you lose one firefighter, it's like, he says, losing a member of your own family. And he says that's why we have all the people that we have out here today who want to pay their respects for the three firefighters who lost their lives battling that fire in Queens on Father's Day -- Leon?

HARRIS: All right, thank you very much, Jason Carroll, reporting live this morning.

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