Remember Andrew B. Jordan

Andrew

Meet Andrew Jordan.  On September 11th, 2001, he went to work, just like everyone else, but unlike your average Joe, Andrew knew that this might be the day he’d lose his life to save someone else’s.  See, Andrew was a firefighter.

After graduating from West Islip High School in 1983, Andrew headed to Ohio to attend a technical school. He was soon back in New York, where he went to work for the Long Island Lighting Company, also known as LILCO. As his mother Eileen told me, “he spent his days up the power poles.”

In 1994, Andrew became a firefighter. He joined up with Division 15, Battalion 38 out of Prospect Heights in Brooklyn in 1995.  On September 11th, 2001, Andrew was a proud member of Ladder Company 132, known, eerily appropriately, as “The Eye of the Storm.”

Ladder 132

One of the things I seemed to see alot of on comments and in news stories, was how gentle Andrew was.

Firefighter Randy Foss of Ladder 132 described Andrew as “…a real fun loving guy. A big fellow, but a gentle giant.”

“He was a super, super strong guy,” said Lt. John Graziano “but as strong as he was, that’s how nice he was.”

When I talked to Andrew’s brother John, he also mentioned that Andrew really was a gentle giant.  He also told me that Andrew loved to fish, and that his favorite saying was “It’s great to be alive!”

Already There

Andrew was one of eight kids (Margaret, Mary, Ellen, Andrew, Thomas, Elizabeth, Bernadette and John), born to Thomas and Eileen Jordan. He was also a first generation American, as his parents both came from Ireland, a heritage Andrew was very proud of. (Andrew was named for his paternal grandfather, and his middle name, Brian, came from his maternal grandfather.)  As his sister Margaret told me; “As the first son, he was doted on. Andrew was a loving, gentle person, who demonstrated tremendous patience and physical strength.”

 

Andrew was a son, a brother, and he was also a father and a husband. He and his wife Lisa had 4 kids; Andrew Jr., Mathew, Kelsey, and Sean, who was born September 26th, 2001. Andrew never got to meet his youngest child.

 

Andrew’s sister Margaret was kind enough to send me an email filled with pictures, things she thought I should know about Andrew, and also attached to the email was a beautiful rememberance from a sister to a brother:

 

I wish that I could articulate

The darkness left by evil’s hate

The search for ethereal light

In the motes of an asbestos night

 

Medieval conjurors cannot compete

With media graphic’s constant feat

As amber dipped, time suspended

September 11th perpetually upended

My family’s love and laughter’s flow

The courses now have far to go

 

Like lights memorial into the sky

Or the softest whispers of my mother’s sigh

What tributes can our clay feet plant

To measure life’s change in minutes scant

Connected to the bridge of time

Connected to that Brother Mine

 

And so I say to you dear God

On rippling wind and softest fog

Let each piece of my heart

From the smallest to the greatest part

reflect all that is divine

That gift of love, oh Brother Mine

 

 

 

 

The Firefighter’s Prayer

 

When I am called to duty God

wherever flames may rage

give me strength to save a life

whatever be its age.

 

Help me to embrace a child

before it is too late

and save an older person from

the horror of that fate.

 

Enable me to be alert

and hear the weakest shout

and quickly and efficiently

to put the fire out.

 

I want to fill my calling

and to give the best in me

to guard my every neighbor

and protect his property.

 

And if according to Your will

I have to lose my life

Please guard with Your protecting hand

those whom I’ve loved in life.

 

 

I would like to thank Andrew’s mother Eileen for taking the time to talk to me about her firstborn son, his brother John, for letting me see who his brother was, and his sister Margaret, for sharing things so close to the heart, and letting me put it out here for the world to see. Without all of you, this tribute would have felt empty.  You all have my hearfelt respect, as does your entire family.

 

Thank you for letting me (and the world) know Andrew’s smile.  The one that lit up a room.

 

Comments can be left here or on the home page post and your thoughts and feelings are encouraged.

 

 

12 Comments so far

  1. juliness on September 11, 2006

    What a brilliant man! Thank you for introducing me to Andrew. My thoughts are with his entire family today.

  2. [...] Andrew B. Jordan (WTC) Married With Sammich Grabbers [...]

  3. Heather on September 11, 2006

    Wow - a true hero. Thank you for sharing Andrew with me and I am so glad you got to talk with his family as well.

    I remember Steven Hagis

  4. Fierce Poet. on September 11, 2006

    Remembering Kenneth Tietjen

    About the Kenneth F. Tietjen Memorial Foundation The Foundation was created in November 2001 as a non-profit organization to honor the memory of Port Authority Police Officer Kenny Tietjen, who sacrificed his life at the World Trade Center on Septe…

  5. Debra on September 11, 2006

    Thank you for your moving tribute to Andrew. I can’t help but hold a special feeling for all the firefighters, police officiers and first responders who helped save many lives and ended up sacrificing their own. Thank you for bringing Andrew back to life for us and for his family to have so graciously opened their hearts.

    Today I also honored Durrell Pearsall Jr, FDNY.

  6. bernie on September 11, 2006

    So many amazing heroes that day. Thanks.

    I linked your tribute at 2996 tribute to victims of 9/11 - Terrence E Adderley

  7. Pastormac's Ann on September 11, 2006

    His family obviously loved him so much. Thank for this tribute so befitting a hero.

  8. writerchick on September 12, 2006

    Beautifully done. Thank you.
    WC

  9. Teena on September 17, 2006

    Thank you for honouring Andrew.

    I participated as well.

  10. jenny on September 24, 2006

    was nice to read about andrew!! im part of the jordan family back in ireland and never got to meet him. i have now heard all about him and will never forget xx

  11. beth on October 23, 2007

    Thank you so much for introducing me to Andrew and his family… I am wearing a Mercy BAND bearing his name and they are in my prays daily. Often I glance down and see the bracelet and think about his wife and children, lifting them up to the Lord for peace and comfort only He can give. I know they miss him but also should be very proud of their hero!!

  12. Jonathan Jordan on November 5, 2007

    On the evening of September 11, 2001, I sat watching TV in my living room in complete disbelief of the tragedy that unfolded on that day. I remember asking my 4 year old son to let me listen to the TV as I held him tight. Thank you for this tribute to one of the amazing heroes of that day. My thoughts and prayers will always be with families and heroes of 9/11 . My name is Jonathan Jordan and my son is Andrew.

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