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Story and photos by Ron Jeffers
5月9日th, 2014, Jersey City (NJ) Fire Captain Ken Simone received a phone call at home that no firefighter wants to receive, but which all know is part of the job. Captain Mark Lee, Sr. of Engine Co. 10 had passed away. Simone is no stranger to such a call. Some 20 years ago he received a call that his father, Lewis, a captain with Engine Co. 9, had died in the line of duty. Ken and his brother Howie , are currently captains with the Fire Department of Jersey City (FDJC). Ken is captain of Ladder 12, which shares its Halladay Street quarters with 10 Engine.
李上尉，高级死于据信的健康问题，死于据信，是由于在地面上工作的原因。9/11terrorist attacks. Captain Lee served as a消防队员at the Halladay Street firehouse before his promotion to captain, and was highly respected and loved by his fellow firefighters. Captain Lee maintained a tradition that was started by members of the house before him, of collecting contributions and toys to provide a gift for children in the community that may not otherwise have received a Christmas gift.
There is a plaque at the quarters of Engine 9 in memory of the Simone brothers’ father. Ken Simone wanted to honor his friend with some type of memorial at the Engine 10 and Ladder 12 firehouse–the second oldest firehouse in the city erected in 1870–but a little bit more than a plaque. He used his imagination and went to work. He acquired a ladder that was about to be discarded by a neighbor. He spend hours turning the ladder into the base for a memorial. In the center of the ladder is a tribute with the inscription: “Captain Mark Lee Sr., Engine Co. 10, December 2, 1985-May 9, 2014.” Also in the center is a black helmet possessing an Engine 10 captain’s front-piece. Attached to the ladder are two axes, for Engine 10 and Ladder 12, plus photos of the captain.
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In May, the Halladay Street companies held a ceremony for Captain Lee, Sr. Mark Lee, Jr., is on the job and works in the firehouse with Captain Simone, who kept the ladder-memorial under wraps from the son until the ceremony began.
After a group of on-duty, off-duty and retired firefighters arrived at the firehouse, along with Captain Lee’s wife, Cheryl, acting Chief of Department Richard Lapinski and tour commander, Deputy Chief Mike Terpak, Captain Simone addressed the group with an emotional speech that held everyone’s attention.
西蒙妮说：“九年前，当我来卡车12时，李高级队长一直在我身边。”“对我来说，李上尉是发动机10和卡车12的基础，他是我的导师。”
As a new captain, Simone relayed the three pieces of advice Captain Lee offered him. 1. Respect yourself and respect the men under you. 2. Do your job and do it to the best of your ability. 3. Lead by example.
Captain Lee loved his family and the F.D.J.C. He was proud of his son, Mark, Jr., who was appointed to the Fire Department. Captain Lee asked Simone if it would be okay for his son to come to 12 Truck, Group “B,” and Simone answered, “That would be my honor.”
西蒙妮（Simone）将李上尉描述为一个行动人，而不是言语。他对消防部门的热爱通过他的圣诞节玩具驱动器蔓延到社区。由于他的承诺以及消防员的承诺，几年前，有100名儿童的礼物开始的玩具驱动器增加到了约4,000名儿童。
西蒙妮说：“这是因为他，我们将抽出时间从忙碌的生活中，并为没有任何东西的孩子包裹礼物。”
李船长的妻子负责玩具驱动器，她是使每年变得更大，更好的新力量。
Captain Mark Lee, Sr. was a little giant. His friendship and kindness to others will be remembered by those who worked with him, and his memory will continue with Captain Simone’s personal memorial, that was made from the heart.
