Peter J. Ganci, Jr.

"Of all my parents' friends, the only one happy going to work was a member of 120 Truck. I was only 16 then, but that is when I decided I wanted to be a fireman," (Peter J. Ganci, Jr., Chief of Department). Peter J. Ganci, Jr. was motivated at age sixteen by his parent’s friend of 120 Truck being enthusiastic to go to work. That sixteen-year-old boy, although oblivious to it at the time, was about to go on a journey almost incomparable to any other’s. He was born in October, 1946, and would become a Lieutenant in 1977, a Captain in 1983, a Battalion Chief in 1987, the Deputy Assistant Chief in 1994, the Chief of Operations in 1997, the Acting Chief of Department in 1998, and finally the Chief of Department in October of 1999. His story sadly ended in September 11th of 2001 when he died fighting the fires of the bombings of the World Trade Center. Peter J. Ganci, Jr. was and will always be a standout figure in our society whom we should admire and respect, for he gave his life selflessly for the good of others, followed his morals to the end, and did so knowing there wouldn’t be much praise or prizes or riches for his good deeds.

Peter J. Ganci, Jr. proved his courage with his heroic response to the September 11th, 2001 World Trade Center attacks. His courage was so great that Congress renamed the Farmingdale Post Office in his name (Farmingdale is his hometown). At the ceremony, the bagpipes drowned out the downpour, and people began to say last words to the deceased hero: “Our front line soldiers and defenders could not have a better example of what it means to be a great American than Peter J. Ganci, Jr.” said Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, who along with Congressman Peter King sponsored legislation to rename the post office (McGowan). Clinton exemplifies Ganci as a great American because he died protecting his country and the people in it. Not only did he protect the lives of the people at his death, he dedicated his entire life to saving the lives of others in jeopardy. Later during that ceremony, Congressman Peter King also said a few words regarding September 11th: “Without any hesitation whatsoever they [firefighters] went in and they were led by Pete Ganci.” (King) Ganci went in with his men, into the face of doom, to rescue the lives of total strangers, and for some, at the cost of their own. All this they did without hesitation, without fear, and without regret, for they knew they were going to save someone’s life, somehow, in the midst of the flames, disfigured metal, and collapsing floors, walls, and ceilings. Chief Ganci was a truly brave and courageous man, who followed through with his job and almost everything he did.

Peter J. Ganci wasn’t just courageous and selfless; he was also a man of his morals. Along with sacrificing his life at the WTC, he has endeavored to do what he has believed to be right his entire life: “One of the most difficult aspects of my job is striking a balance between an obligation to the public and our members. I continually strive to do the right thing by both.” (Peter J. Ganci, Jr.) Although, as he described, difficult, he “strives to do the right thing by both”. He seems to value perseverance along with several other values according to his wording; he continually strives to do the right thing. On another note, when he was in the WTC, he ordered his men to go in a northerly direction the Southern tower before it collapsed, but on ordering them, he said, “I’m not leaving my men,” and went in a southerly direction to make sure all of his men made it out safely. He, along with a number of his men, unfortunately died when the South Tower collapsed. He died getting his men to safety, which shows a number of heroic traits one would find in most heroes. These factors, combined with the ones previously stated, make for a nice balance of heroism, courage, bravery, and high holding morals.

To conclude, ask yourself: What does it take to follow your morals? Would you care enough about people to save a stranger’s life? Would you go into the path of death, knowing there was a good chance you might perish, to save your friends? Peter Ganci would. Think about that. What if everyone in the world followed their morals? What if everyone was willing to save another’s life at the cost of their own? Well, it would be a world full of heroes waiting for their call to action. A world full of caring, courageous heroes just waiting to save someone’s life. A world full of Peter J. Ganci, Jr.’s.