Albany Passed Legislation Granting Engeldrum Family Benefits

[Guest]

Again, way to go Mayor Bloomberg for getting this done before the Funeral tomorrow.

'Wonderful to see how many lives he touched'

BY ALISON GENDAR in Killeen, Tex.,

JONATHAN LEMIRE, DAVID SALTONSTALL and MAKI BECKER in New York

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS 

Wednesday, December 8th, 2004

They came by the scores through the cold, driving rain yesterday to say goodbye to a patriot among a band of brothers. 

Christian Engeldrum, a soldier and firefighter, father and husband, was remembered at the first day of his wake for all he was and all he sacrificed. 

Eight days earlier, a crudely made bomb ripped apart the Humvee he was riding in through the treacherous roads of Iraq, killing the man known to his friends as "Drum" and another local soldier, Wilfredo Urbina of Long Island. 

Yesterday, Engeldrum's family, friends, fellow firefighters from Ladder 61 and National Guardsmen streamed into the Schuyler Hill Funeral Home in the Bronx to pay their respects. "It's wonderful to see how many lives he touched and how many respect his bravery," said Engeldrum's father-in-law, John Donohue, 62. 

Engeldrum's death has left Donohue's daughter, Sharon, a widow to rear her two teenage sons, Sean, 18, and Royce, 16, and a third child she recently learned is on the way. 

"She's obviously having a very tough time," her father said. 

But amid her pain, she helped clear the red tape so that one of Engeldrum's fellow Bravest soldiers, Daniel Swift, can pay his final respects. 

Swift survived the Humvee bombing and rescued two soldiers from the wreckage despite shrapnel wounds. 

Yesterday, Swift arrived by plane at Fort Hood, Tex., where his parents were waiting. Today, they'll make the trip to the Bronx, capping a four-day, 5,800-mile ordeal to say goodbye to his fallen comrade. 

"My boy is safe. That's all that matters," said Swift's mother, Kathleen Daly, as she waited to see him. 

His father, retired NYPD Detective John Swift, who last week flew to his son's bedside in Germany, said yesterday that Swift must come home to pay his respects. 

"He needs to be back in New York to say goodbye," said John Swift. 

As the wake was underway, lawmakers in Albany passed emergency legislation declaring the 39-year-old Engeldrum's death as occurring in the line of duty - as if he had died fighting a fire in New York.

The designation, requested by Mayor Bloomberg, grants Engeldrum's widow an annual pension equal to his full salary, a lump sum equal to one year's pay and health benefits for her and her children for life. "This legislation ensures that those he had to leave behind will know that New Yorkers appreciate his sacrifice - and will never forget it," Bloomberg said.

[RWC130 594]

AMEN!!! IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO!

=D> GOD BLESS...

FF ENGELDRUM - RIP!

[DOC22 1]

As the wake was underway, lawmakers in Albany passed emergency legislation declaring the 39-year-old Engeldrum's death as occurring in the line of duty - as if he had died fighting a fire in New York.

The designation, requested by Mayor Bloomberg, grants Engeldrum's widow an annual pension equal to his full salary, a lump sum equal to one year's pay and health benefits for her and her children for life. "This legislation ensures that those he had to leave behind will know that New Yorkers appreciate his sacrifice - and will never forget it," Bloomberg said.

Hats off to Mayor Bloomberg!

[steve shryock 0]

It is extremely thoughtful of the NYC mayor and the people of the state of NY to take care of his family, especially with a bun in the oven. He gave the ultimate sacrifice and that should never be forgotten.

But what about all the others from NY State who gave their lives, such as Wilfredo Urbina, also an active firefighter (vol) from Long Island, who was killed in the same incident as Engeldrum?? What does his family receive?

If I died as a result of injuries sustained while performing my duties as a vol. firefighter, there are death benefits available, from the state, to my survivors.

Did Albany address this in their resolution for Engeldrum's benefits?

I think that if the state does it for one person, they should treat all firefighters (vol and paid) killed in military duty in the same manner, just be consistant.

May all rest in peace and god watch their survivors.