Yesterday morning, Millwood FD members had the honor of marching in the annual Memorial Day Parade in downtown Chappaqua.

Members first gathered at Station 1 for our own ceremony to honor those lost. During our ceremony, Company President Stein honored a family member of one of our fire company members:

"Nathan Bruckenthal, a Petty Officer in the Coast Guard, was chosen to be among the first Coast Guardsmen deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in early 2003.

In March 2004, at the request of his command staff, he volunteered for a second deployment to Iraq, which was only weeks after discovering that his wife was pregnant. Nathan was part of the TACLET’s (Tactical Law Enforcement Team) training unit. On April 24th 2004, his job that afternoon was to instruct Navy personnel on how to conduct maritime interdiction operations.

Reading from Nathan’s Bronze Star with Combat “V” Citation from President Bush..

The boarding team observed a suspicious vessel, which did not heed their commands. Nathan directed the team to intercept the vessel. As the Naval team drew alongside, the attackers on board the vessel, realizing they had been discovered, detonated the explosives packed on board, mortally wounding Petty Officer Bruckenthal. The explosion alerted all in the area to an ongoing coordinated attack, thus allowing additional security forces to destroy two additional explosive laden vessels, thereby preventing massive casualties on board and perhaps the sinking of the USS Firebolt. By his zealous initiative, courageous actions and exceptional dedication to duty, Petty Officer Bruckenthal reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Coast Guard and the United States Naval Service. Damage Controlman Bruckenthal is authorized Combat “V” for Valor.

Nathan is laid to rest with many of America’s best at Arlington National Cemetery. He is the first and only Coast Guardsman to be killed in action since the Vietnam War."