The tug of emotions was written all over
the face of Tara Stackpole as she sat in the ceremonial courtroom
of Borough Hall at a press conference for the 22nd annual Great
Irish Fair. The widow of hero 9-11 firefighter Capt. Timothy
Stackpole was on hand to see her daughter Kaitlyn, 15, draped
in a striped sash embroidered with gold letters pronouncing her
the fair’s "Colleen Queen."
Tara, sitting next to her youngest son, Terence, 7, watched her
daughter and silently wept. Bravely smiling while dabbing away
the tears, she was almost certainly weeping for the proud moment
in Kaitlyn’s life that she could not share with her husband.
Borough President Marty Markowitz addressed Kaitlyn from the
podium saying, "Captain Stackpole’s dedication and bravery
will never be forgotten, and I know your father would be extremely
proud of all you have accomplished."
In a year of heroes, Stackpole’s story is one that stands out
from the pack. The Midwood resident was first recognized for
his heroism after surviving an East New York inferno in 1998
that killed two firefighters.
He and four other firefighters had raced into the building, mistakenly
believing that an elderly woman was trapped within. The floor
gave way, killing two of his fellow firefighters. Stackpole was
left critically injured.
Stackpole underwent a heroic recovery and, according to Mayor
Rudolph Giuliani, who called Stackpole "one of the most
exceptional human beings I’ve ever met," the firefighter
joked from his hospital bed that because of the injury he’d have
to retire after 40 years on the job instead of 50. This despite
the fact that Stackpole’s severe injuries would have qualified
him to retire with a full pension.
Stackpole underwent months of rehabilitation, dozens of surgeries
and painful skin grafts and made it back to active duty, promoted
to captain at Division 11 in Downtown Brooklyn just days before
he died. When he was honored at the 2001 Great Irish Fair, Stackpole
said, "I always wanted to come back."
On Sept. 11, Stackpole formed a company that rushed into the
South Tower shortly before it collapsed.
As Brooklyn approaches the anniversary of Sept. 11, events like
the Great Irish Fair reinforce the importance of remembering
and paying tribute to those we have lost, and of not losing sight
of our future or our grasp on hope.
The Fair, organized by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, benefits
the century-old Catholic Charities, which offers services to
the most vulnerable citizens of Brooklyn and Queens.
This year’s fair is dedicated to "all the victims of 9-11
with sincere appreciation to Rudy Giuliani." In addition
to remembering Capt. Stackpole, the fair will remember Fire Department
chaplain Father Michael Judge. "They were two men of incredible
faith put into action every day and especially on Sept. 11,"
said Father Kevin Sweeney, coordinator of the Irish Apostolate
for the Diocese of Brooklyn.
Chief Brehon of this year’s fair is New York Police Department
Deputy Chief Michael Collins who will preside over the fair with
Kaitlyn Stackpole, who attends Bishop Kearney High School. Collins
is no stranger to Brehon duties, having been Grand Marshall of
the Bay Ridge Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in 1997 and Marshall
of this year’s 27th Annual Irish American Parade in Park Slope.
Like her father, Kaitlyn is already making a difference in Marine
Park; she is an active member of Good Shepherd parish and served
as president of Good Shepherd’s Student Council.
Acknowledging Tara and Kaitlyn Stackpole, Daily News columnist
Michael Daly, upon accepting the Irish Bard award, said, "Irish
men are measured by the size of their hearts, but Irish women’s
hearts are just a little bit bigger."
This year’s Irishman of the Year Award is Father Patrick West,
pastor of Our Lady of Solace in Coney Island.
Fair chairman Al O’Hagan promises that this year’s fair, although
a tribute to those lost "will not be an Irish wake but I
guess that wouldn’t be such a bad thing." This year’s fair
will certainly have an Irish wake’s mixture of gaiety and sadness,
again featuring entertainment, food and shopping in addition
to Catholic masses.
Look for Irish restaurants – such as Downtown Brooklyn restaurant
Eamonn Doran’s – as well arts and crafts, vendors, step dancers,
war pipe bands and rides and games for children. There will be
seven stages of continuous live entertainment on both days with
Sunday featuring the Emerald Society pipe bands from the Police,
Fire, Transit, Sanitation and Corrections departments, as well
as "out-of-town" pipers The Clann Erin.
On Sept. 7 at 11 am, a mass led by Bishop Thomas Daily will be
held in memory of the victims of 9-11 in the tent located in
the northeast corner of the park.
The Great Irish Fair takes place Sept.
7 and Sept. 8 from 10 am to 7 pm at Dreier-Offerman Meadows in
Gravesend. Masses will be held in the tent located in the northeast
corner of the park on Sept. 7 at 11 am in memory of the victims
of 9-11, and on Sept. 8 at 9 am and 11 am.
Dreier-Offerman Park is located off Shore Parkway between Cropsey
Avenue and Bay 44th Street. Admission is $10, free for children
age 12 and younger. For more information about the Catholic Charities
of Brooklyn & Queens all (718) 337-6800 or visit the Web
site at www.ccbq.org.
