Press Release - Postal Service Dedicates Post Office To Tuckahoe Resident, NYC Firefighter Killed On 9/11
POSTAL SERVICE DEDICATES POST OFFICE TO TUCKAHOE RESIDENT, NYC FIREFIGHTER KILLED ON 9/11
LOWEY BILL PASSED TO RENAME POST OFFICE IN MEMORY OF RONALD BUCCA
October 23, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland), U.S. Postal Service representatives, local officials, and residents came together to formally dedicate the Tuckahoe Post Office in memory of Ronald "Ronnie" Bucca. Bucca, a New York City firefighter, was killed in the September 11th attacks.
"For more than two decades, Ronnie Bucca dedicated his life to protecting the people of New York, and it is truly an honor to dedicate this building to his memory and sacrifice," said Lowey. "This building will now permanently bear Ronnie's name and be a reminder of his bravery and courage for his family, friends, and our entire community."
Tuckahoe Mayor Michael J. Martino said, "Thanks to the assistance of Congresswoman Nita Lowey, we are able to appropriately honor Ron Bucca, a quiet hero and gentleman who accomplished more in one lifetime than any one person would ever be expected to accomplish."
Ronnie Bucca was a 23-year veteran of the New York Fire Department (FDNY) serving in various units throughout the five boroughs including Rescue 1 and the FDNY Terrorist Task Force. In 1992, he was promoted to Fire Marshal. He also served in the military for 29 years, including service as a Special Forces Green Beret and in the 101st Airborne Division. For his brave service to our nation, the military has also honored Ronald Bucca. When the 800th Military Police Brigade took command of British Enemy Holding Area Freddy in Southern Iraq, it was promptly renamed Camp Bucca.
On the morning of September 11th, 2001, Bucca was one of just two fire fighters to reach the fire floor in the South Tower. The men made it to the 78th floor where they began stretching a hose line to protect victims of the attack. He was the first Fire Marshal to be killed in the line of duty.
"Ronnie Bucca was a hero in every sense of the word, and I am proud Congress has moved to recognize someone who dedicated his life to protecting the people of New York," said Lowey. "I hope that the newly-named Ronald Bucca Post Office will allow Tuckahoe to continue to honor a man who truly loved being a part of this community, who spent his life protecting and defending our communities, and whose legacy we will always remember and honor."
Because Tuckahoe had been Bucca's home for more than twenty years, Congresswoman Lowey introduced legislation in March 2006 to rename the Tuckahoe Post Office in his memory. The bill passed the House on May 2nd and the Senate on July 20th and was signed into law on August 2nd by President Bush.
http://www.house.gov/list/press/ny18_lowey/buccapo102306.html