Temple Israel will mark the 23rd anniversary of the tragedy of September 11, 2001 with a special memorial service together with the Great Neck Community:
Wednesday, September 11
6:00 p.m. at Saddle Rock 9/11 Memorial Bridge (also on TIGN Zoom)
You may choose to walk or park by the bridge.
Sponsored by the Men’s Club of Temple Israel.
Guest Speaker: Fred Sager, Former Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company Chief
Efforts at Temple Israel September 11 Memorial Service
Jonathan Ielpi—the only fireman from the community to have lost his life during the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001—was a close friend of former Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company Chief Fred Sager. Chief Sager joined Jonathan’s father, Lee, in searching for the young former Vigilant firefighter for many long days, cementing a close relationship between the two men.
Chief Sager will speak of the experience at a presentation during Temple Israel of Great Neck’s annual September 11 Memorial Service on the Saddle Rock 9-11 Bridge. The bridge had a commanding view of the World Trade Center and residents gathered at the site in 2001 as the tragedy unfolded. Many lit candles on the bridge and hung pictures of loved ones from the bridge railing.
Temple Israel has been conducting the community memorial service featuring an area resident involved in the September 11 rescue and recovery efforts on the bridge each year since 2001. Fire department volunteers from surrounding departments as well as elected officials will attend the service, which is open to the congregation and community. The bridge will be closed to traffic during the service. In the event of inclement weather the service will be held at the neighboring Great Neck Public Library.
Mr. Sager was 15-years old when his parents moved to Great Neck. In 1978, he joined the Vigilant Fire Company and quickly became an emergency medical technician. In 1982, he was elected second lieutenant of the fire company and proceeded to rise through the ranks, eventually serving as chief of the department from 1994-1996. From 2000-2003 he served as department president and as a trustee of the department’s Board for more than 10 years. He is a retired electrician.
He has received four medic citations, including being named “Medic of the Year” in 1979. He was twice recognized as the department’s “Fireman of the Year” and received its Medal of Valor for the rescue of a civilian from an apartment fire in 1987.
Upon the establishment of the World Trade Center Tribute Visitor’s Center Chief Sager became one of the first volunteers to donate his time, leading tours and educating visitors about the rescue and recovery efforts following the events of September 11. He said he considers it “a privilege and an honor to be an individual who believes that what happened on that tragic day in September and the courageous people who responded should stay forever in the forefront of the American consciousness.”
