Local first responders from West Hamilton Beach and Broad Channel Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Corps were recognized for their life saving efforts during and in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Robert Stridiron/The Forum Newsgroup
Among many ceremonies and dedications throughout the city in remembrance of the one year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, was a special morning event at Howard Beach’s Vetro Restaurant. General manager and sommelier P.J. Connelly, and owner Frank Russo Jr., invited First Responders to come down to the restaurant, beginning at 5:30 a.m., for a gourmet breakfast buffet to honor their lifesaving efforts and bravery during and in the aftermath of the storm.
In addition to the breakfast, WPIX News 11 held their live show broadcast from the restaurant, interviewing many of the men and women from First Responder units especially those from the areas volunteer Fire and Ambulance Corps.
“It’s a little easier to think about what happened that day while you’re eating Eggs Benedict,” said Chief of the West Hamilton Corps, Jonah Cohen. But the eggs did not negate memories for Cohen and the others about the fire trucks, ambulances and equipment that was ruined in the storm. Before 10 p.m. on the night of the storm, the West Hamilton Fire Department had already taken on at least 8 feet of water and nearby at the Broad Channel Fire Department, things were no different—the house was under water, the equipment was lost.
But with no rigs and the rage of the storm still in full swing, the local heroes went to work. Crews manned boats down flooded streets, pulling people from their homes. They rigged makeshift pulleys to get down streets to make rescues. They walked through water with downed power lines sizzling and sparking around them.
One of the things that really added an extraordinary dimension to the rescues according to Chief Cohen is that most of the members of the departments were not just First Responders; they too were victims of the storm. “But at the end of the day,” the Chief said, “we’re here having breakfast and we’re safe.”
As the breakfast and broadcast came to an end, P.J. Connolly spoke to The Forum. “What a difference a year makes.” In reflecting on the day, he remembered the continuous flow of trucks unloading sand bags at Vetro, to try and protect the property—now instead, the parking lot was filled with news trucks set up for broadcast and ambulances that carried crews for breakfast, not an emergency. “We are so thankful for everything that these men and women did for us and for the community and so proud to recognize their bravery and heroism.”
A year later, after completion of Vetro’s extensive renovations –$3.2 million dollars worth—the exclusive 5-star restaurant had its grand re-opening a little over a month ago and is back bigger and better than ever.
At Vetro there remains no trace of an unwelcomed dinner guest named Sandy who stopped by with no reservations and left an astronomical tab behind.
By Patricia Adams
