Bruce was a firefighter at Bronx/Harlem Squad 41.
Bruce enjoyed hiking. He had completed hiking the Appalachian Trail in NJ‚ NY‚ and Connecticut. As he hiked the trail‚ he left Bibles in the shelters.
Bruce loved God‚ his girls (that’s what he called his 2 daughters and me‚ his wife) and he loved being a real firefighter – a FDNY firefighter.
– Ann C. Van Hine
This website is funded in whole or in part through a grant from the Bureau of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this Web site (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any service or tools provided).
PO Drawer 498, Emmitsburg, MD 21727 | Phone: (301) 447‑1365 | Fax: (301) 447‑1645 | Contact
© 2003–2022 National Fallen Firefighters Foundation| Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
Foundation does not solicit donations by phone or employ outside companies to do so. You can make a donation by mail, by phone or through our website.
Website Hosting, Support & Strategy by First Arriving
Dear Anne,
– David PhillipsThank you for the devotional about yourself and your late husband and your daughters that you posted on the Upper Room website earlier today. I am truly sorry for your loss. I found your words most encouraging and inspiring. I was particularly touched by the note above about your late husband placing bibles in the trail shelters. What a wonderful example of a Christian quietly spreading the word.
God bless you and your family,
With love and best wishes from David & Peggy Phillips, Sydney, Australia
Dear Ann,
– Moe PorzeltGod Bless you and the girls. Moe
Dear Anne. My name is Frank Loyo and I live in Columbus, Wisconsin. I’m a 50 year old Volunteer Firefighter and EMT in my town. Injoined my FD 2 years ago. I did the 2016 Memorial Climb on September 10th at the Lambeau Field Stadium in Green Bay and I dedicated my climb to your late husband. I have read about him and I feel honored to keep his memory alive. No words are enough to express the gratitude for all of those that made the ultimate sacrifice for the safe of others. Your husband was a true hero. God bless your family. Thanks!
– Frank LoyoDear Anne,
We were on vacation from England last week when we came to your talk. After hearing about Bruce, we had to put a face to his name, so we searched for him in the 9/11 museum and then again on the internet when we got home.
I’m so glad that we came along, it allowed us to appreciate that this wasn’t something that we all saw on the news, but this affected real people. My daughter has gone back to school today, and she has decided to speak about Bruce in her ‘show and tell’ after our holiday.
Your story truly touched us and we will certainly be keeping his memory alive, a real hero and an inspiration of dedication, selflessness and bravery.
The Douglas family – Nottingham, England.
– The Douglas FamilyAnne, I grew up in RP around the block from Bruce. I just notice his name on the memorial today in RP. I got to know him much better during his tree service days. I moved away from NJ in 1982. I had no idea he was a firefighter. He was very sweet and kind hearted guy. Gene Poveromo 31 Susquehanna ave
– Gene poveromoDear Anne, My name is Pastor Robby Davis also known as Firefighter Davis. I am writing here with tears forming in my eyes. Believe it or not I am 48 years old and a rookie with Monroe County Fire Rescue in the Florida Keys. I am writing you both as a firefighter and a pastor. Your husband is a hero both as a firefighter and as a brother in Christ. I recently received an email from a young lady in my church who is from NJ named Grace who told of how you and your families faithful during 9/11 later brought her to Christ. I think your husband will be well pleased that his sacrifice on 9/11 was used by God to bring someone to Himself. Thank you for your faithfulness and may God bless your family. I look forward to meeting your husband on the streets of glory!
– Pastor Robby DavisYou will never be forgotten.
– Colette PeabodyThank you for your service an courageousness that our human kind first an not your family ! THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A TRUE HERO !!! HEROS SACRIFICE EVERYTHING INCLUDING THEMSELVES
– Kristin LekkiDear Anne,
– Bill briscoeHow can it be 20 years already? I worked with Bruce back in the ’80s with Tree Preservation and remember how excited he was when he got the call from FDNY. He was a great guy and a friend, every September I think about him and all that perished that day and weep. His was the greatest sacrifice, God bless you and the family.
Billy
Mrs. Van Hine, I am a fire fighter in Oklahoma. I wanted to let you know that today we climbed in memorial of those that passed. I climbed in memory of your husband. We haven’t forgotten.
– Diana Van HoutenIn memory of a family member! Wish I met. Sending love and prayers all the time. Love the Wrights and Van Hines
– Becky WrightDear Anne, I knew Bruce for a few years as an arborist. He would care for my trees every year. In spring 2001 he was on my property and the ladder fell with him tied to it and he cracked a few ribs. I felt terrible. It was that day he shared that he was a NY Firefighter, as we’re all his buddies working with him.
– Mary DinosI had my husband ( a baker) make him a cheesecake and called him. When he came by to pick it up he told me he was going to take “his girls” cross country or out west ( I can’t remember exactly). He said they were getting older and soon might not want to go. He told me about you and your dancing and he just seemed so happy. I wished him a great vacation and said I’d see him next year.
It wasn’t until I read the names in the paper in October that I learned Bruce lost his life.
I think of him often, wonder how his summer trip with you and the girls was, and I cry for
you. I am so sorry for your loss. I will never forget Bruce.
God bless you and your family
Mary Dinos
Dearest Ann, I just read a story “ A Firefighter’s Dream” in a book written by Harris Faulkner ( Faith Still Moves Mountains). Your dream and Bruce’s dream brought together in love and marriage and a beautiful family. Thank you for your courage and commitment to your dreams along with Bruce’s. You are a Godly woman, wife, mother and daughter and a follower of Jesus. I prayed for you, your family and for your future. Your story and inspiration how God has and will continue to use you in spite of your major horrible loss you have chosen to give God Glory. Thank you for allowing me to experience a very small part of your life that continues to point all of us to our Great God. You are a blessing to all of humanity in these most difficult times. I write to you from my front porch as a retired pastor on a beautiful sunny day in Hammond , Louisiana.
– Mike Horchak