*Photos by Katherine Massopust

Remarks by Mayor Helmin Caba at the Eagle 9 Dedication 6/15/21

PERTH AMBOY – Good Evening Everyone and thank you for being with us today.

When we think of firefighters, we have the iconic image of them responding to fires, automobile accidents and medical emergencies. Even when we were young, there was always one of our friends who wanted to be a firefighter when they grew up.

It takes a special kind of person to become a firefighter. Being a firefighter means more than just battling blazes. They save lives. Today we honor Eagle 9 and all the firefighters lost in the line of duty in the City of Perth Amboy through our gathering by keeping their memories alive with this memorial.

I want to thank Chief Mullen in leading the initiative for this memorial service to remember the lives of the 9 firefighters tragically killed 100 years ago.

Thank you to the relatives of the Eagle 9 that were able to join us. To the men and women of our Perth Amboy Fire Department who risk their lives to protect ours and the properties of our residents and businesses. You are among the best in the State.

To all who put this event together; Perth Amboy’s Fire Department, Firefighter’s Exempt Association and Uniformed Firefighters Historical Association. Thank you.

To the Department Historian John Leo Fedorka for giving us the complete history of the tragic events of June 15, 1921. We also remember Anton Massopust, who, before his passing, worked in telling the story of Eagle 9. (to read the complete history, click here)

To our Middlesex County Commissioners, we are grateful for the memorial plaque that will be permanently installed at the intersection of Market & Elm Street.

And to all who made it possible to fund the second memorial plaque to be installed in the Perth Amboy train station upon completion of its renovation.

Thank you to all.

To read the history of the Eagle 9 by Fire Department Historian John Leo Fedorka, click here.

Committee Members

• Fire Chief Edward Mullen
• Deputy Police Chief Larry Cattano
• Battalion Chief Michael Zylka
• John Leo Fedorka
• Pedro (Pete) Martinez
• Kurt Gregory
• Tony Balawitz
• John Yuhas
• Anton J. Massopust (Original Chairman)

Click on photos to enlarge