2002 HONOREE

Lee Ielpi

In 1996, after 26 years with the Fire Department of the City of New York, Lee retired from Rescue Co.2 in Brooklyn. At the time of his retirement Lee was one of the most decorated firefighters in the history of the city. Tragically, Lee's retirement did not move along as he had anticipated.

On the morning of September 11th terrorist attack Lee un-retired himself and went back to work with the fire department. He would later play an integral role in every function of the search, rescue and recovery operation at "Ground Zero." Sadly, one of the responsibilities that fell upon Lee included carrying out the body of his oldest son, Jonathan, who was a firefighter with Squad 288.

After Jonathan's body was recovered Lee returned to "Ground Zero" virtually every single day. He was quoted in the New York Times when he said "This is a hell of a way to spend your retirement, but I'm not leaving until the last dustpan of dirt has been swept away from here." Sure enough, Lee stayed true to his word and followed through with every aspect of the recovery process. He worked as a cohesive liaison between Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the FDNY and NYPD at the recovery site.

In recent months Lee Ielpi has been a regular guest on such television programs as nightline with Ted Koppel and Larry King Live. He has also developed strong personal ties with Governor George Pataki, Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Mayor Bloomberg. Despite this newfound notoriety and influence, Lee is happiest spending time with his close friends or making pasta for his family in Great Neck. It is because of this remarkable combination of personal achievement and humility that Lee has indeed become one of the most recognized firefighter in the City of New York.

Lee's patriotism is not limited to his experience with FDNY. He is also a combat veteran of Vietnam as well as a former chief of the Vigilant Volunteer Fire Company of Great Neck, where he continues to serve as an active firefighter and trustee. Not surprisingly, Lee has passed his commitment to public service along to his other children as well. Anne Marie is a schoolteacher, Brendan is a firefighter and his youngest child, Melissa, is completing nursing school.