Lynbrook Volunteer Fire Department, Lynbrook Nassau County, New York


Story by Ex-Captain Steve Grogan On Memorial Day 2006, after the annual Memorial Day Parade in Lynbrook, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, along with members of Tally-Ho Engine Company 3 of the Lynbrook Fire Department, gathered at the Village of Lynbrook’s Doughboy Veterans Monument behind the Lynbrook Train Station to unveil a stone marker in the name of Tally-Ho Ex-Captain Jeffrey L. Wiener, who as a Navy Corpsman was killed fighting in Iraq on May 7th, 2005. Also in attendance at the service was a contingent of New York City Firefighters from Ladder 133/Engine 275, where Jeff Wiener’s brother, Josh, is assigned. Also present were members from Engine 2, Valley Stream Fire Department, the sister company of Tally-Ho. Everyone was there to honor the memory one of Lynbrook’s bravest who was killed in war. Prior to the unveiling of the stone marker, which sits just below the Doughboy Monument, the present Captain of Tally-Ho, Anthony DeCarlo, spoke to the veterans, the mayor, the village board, and the many residents in attendance, about Jeff. Jeff was a member of Tally-Ho for eleven years beginning just after graduating from Lynbrook High School in 1991. That prior to joining Tally-Ho, Jeff spent four years in the LFD’s Junior Fire Separtment program. He was also captain of the Juniors. As a firefighter he helped start the department’s Heavy Rescue and Extrication Team. Although a firefighter, he also rode with the Emergency Medical Company as an AMT. He also worked as an AMT with the Nassau County Police Department. In April 1997 he was elected 2^nd Lieutenant of Tally-Ho and in 2000 became its Captain. After September 11^th, Jeff joined the US Navy as a Corpsman. On May 7, 2005, during his second tour of duty in the Middle East and while assigned to a Marine fighting unit, Jeff was killed in action during a firefight. On May 16, 2005, he was buried in Calverton National Cemetery with full military honors. Captain DeCarlo said during the ceremonies, “Jeff was an active member of Tally-Ho Engine 3 for eleven years. Eleven years of helping others in this village that he called home. He was a dedicated firefighter and officer, and we now know a dedicated Navy man and combat veteran. He made a life of saving others here, and he died doing just that in war a long way from home.” He closed by saying, “The members of Tally-Ho are proud of our brother firefighter. We are proud of his service with Tally-Ho but even prouder of his service to our country. Ex-Captain Jeffrey L. Wiener is a true hero to us all.” Jeff’s wife, Maria, and their two young girls, then unveiled the stone marker, which was donated by John Ferrante and Michael Grant of Flinch and Bruns Funeral Home in Lynbrook. The Marine Corp League then fired a 21 gun salute to honor Ex-Captain Jeffrey L. Wiener and all the veterans from Lynbrook who have died in battle.. After the memorial service the Wiener and Barberio families came back to Tally-Ho to view a new Wall of Honor in the upstairs lounge area in the Tally-Ho firehouse. Plaques for Jeff, and for Lynbrook’s first Line of Duty death, Tally-Ho Lieutenant Frederick J. Schnorr in 1932, are hung on this Wall of Honor. May our brother firefighter rest in peace.