152 funerals in 30 days, and 191 to go

Associated Press

NEW YORK – Firefighter James Sorokac gives a slight nod, the signal that starts yet another memorial service for a fallen brother.

A borrowed firetruck from Elizabeth, N.J., slowly moves up the street while a double line of firefighters in dress blues stands at attention. Bagpipers from the New York City Fire Department follow, marching to a solemn drum beat.

On this day it’s Staten Island. But it’s a scene Sorokac, part of the Fire Department’s ceremonial unit, has witnessed all too often since the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center left 343 firefighters missing or dead.

The ceremonial unit, which coordinates funeral details between families, houses of worship and the department, has planned and attended 152 services so far.

It is only halfway through.

“There’s no doubt about it. My men are exhausted, both physically and emotionally,” said Lt. Walter Dreyer, who oversees the unit. He expects the funerals and memorials to continue for at least another month.

Before the attack, the six-man ceremonial unit would handle an average of six funerals in an entire year. “Now we’re doing six a day,” Dreyer said. Until the trade center, the largest loss the department suffered happened on Oct. 17, 1966, when 12 firefighters were killed battling a five-alarm fire.

Since the attack, 54 men have been added to the ceremonial unit. They typically split up into six-person teams and attend as many services as they can.

They are the detail people, making sure the family and dignitaries are seated up front, the honor guard is in place and the funeral caisson in position. The services have taken place throughout the five boroughs and all over the city’s suburbs, as far as the easternmost tip of Long Island.

“Just the logistics of rushing from one service to another causes a great deal of stress,” Dreyer said.

The worst day so far was Oct. 6, when the unit attended 24 services in a single day. This weekend 16 are scheduled.

Asked how he handles his emotion, Sorokac shook his head sadly and said: “Quite honestly, it hasn’t all sunk in yet. I guess I’ll deal with it later.

“The one thing that keeps us going is the need to do the right thing for these guys and their families,” said Sorokac, an eight-year veteran of the unit.

The sheer volume of services has dictated changes.

The firetrucks used to carry the caskets are borrowed from neighboring companies in Long Island and New Jersey. The bagpipers often come from Boston, Philadelphia or Atlantic City. The line of firefighters saluting the fallen includes comrades from Chicago and as far away as Tokyo.

Even with all the outsiders, Sorokac said it is easy to pick out the New York City firefighters: “They’re the guys standing in formation who have that look of shock and denial in their eyes. The ones who still can’t believe so many brothers are gone.”