Jersey Journal (New Jersey)
NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue unveiled a brass plaque in honor of Firefighter Vincent Neglia yesterday, exactly a year after he died in a burning building in Union City.
Around 150 firefighters were joined by Neglia’s family and friends at Engine 13 on Hudson Avenue between 75th and 76th streets.
His daughter, Nicole Patilla, received a medal of honor that was awarded to him posthumously.
“It’s been a very long year and very sad,” said Patilla, who, with tears in her eyes, described the dedication as “beyond an honor.”
“I love him and I will miss him,” she said.
Neglia died fighting a blaze at an apartment building on Bergenline Avenue in Union City on Sept. 9, 2006.
Acting on false information, Neglia died after the second-floor room he was in erupted into flames while he was looking for people he believed were trapped.
“His life was tragically cut short, suddenly, quickly and without warning,” NHRFR Chief Brion McEldowney said during the afternoon ceremony. “He has not been forgotten.”
The uniformed firefighters lined up to salute and touch the new plaque, which is affixed to the outside wall of the firehouse where Neglia worked.
They were joined by about 20 members of the American Firefighters Motorcycle Club - clad in leather waistcoats - some of the more than 3,000 members of the club, who have been converging from all over the country to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks tomorrow at ground zero.
The day he died, Neglia, who used to ride a Harley Davidson Fat Boy, was to have joined members of the New Jersey chapter he co-founded for a charity ride, said NHRFR Capt. Brian Boele, of Ladder Two.
Last month, NHRFR launched the “FF Vincent Neglia” rescue boat in his honor. Union City plans to name 18th Street in Neglia’s honor.
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