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A New York firefighter thrills Alexander Elementary students with a visit. Dozens want to grow up to be like him.
By MELANIE AVE
© St. Petersburg Times, published November 6, 2001
TAMPA -- Hundreds of students at Alexander Elementary School lined up to meet their hero Monday morning, some of them waving miniature American flags.
One third-grade girl peeked around the corner and squealed, "I think he's coming."
And when he emerged, the children clapped wildly and held out their hands to touch him.
Thomas Narducci, 32, isn't a rock star or sports hero. He isn't even a household name.
He's a New York firefighter from Engine Co. 155. He wore dress blues and a smile.
Narducci, nephew of Alexander Elementary nurse Mary Spatz, went to the Town 'N Country school to thank the students for the cards and letters of support they sent after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Until Monday, the children had only heard about Narducci from Spatz, who began mailing their correspondence to the firefighter the day after the attacks.
"I think he's a real good guy," said 9-year-old Dany Accilien, calling Narducci brave and patriotic. "He dresses really good in public, too."
Narducci seemed moved and humbled as he walked down a corridor lined with adoring children.
Inside the school's multipurpose room, fourth- and fifth-graders welcomed Narducci by singing along to Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA. Narducci then led the children in the Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem.
He told the children that a lot of attention had been placed on the people who died, but he said everyone also should remember the 25,000 people who escaped.
Narducci ended his remarks by telling the kids that they are surrounded by heroes, people like their teachers and local firefighters.
"Heroes are people who help you every day," he said. "Don't forget that."
Though Narducci's speech was brief and upbeat, his aunt wiped away tears as she sat at the edge of the room.
Fifth-grader Katie Rima, 10, said she was honored to meet Narducci.
"Although he looks happy, you can see the disappointment on his face about the people he lost," she said.
Narducci, who works in Staten Island, was home when the first plane struck the World Trade Center. He reported for work as soon as he heard about the second plane crash.
He was riding the Staten Island Ferry to Manhattan when the towers fell. At the scene, Narducci and his company helped with the rescue efforts and saved one person.
Since then, Narducci said, he has attended countless wakes and funerals for his colleagues and witnessed indescribable devastation, including an odor from the rubble that will stay with him for life.
Still, he called firefighting a great profession that still gives him a rush.
"I don't look at it as being a hero," Narducci said. "None of the firefighters I know do. We look at it as this is our job."
As he was leaving, Narducci stopped by kindergarten teacher Lucy Menendez's classroom to take one last picture with the children, all of whom were wearing black paper firefighter hats.
After the picture, Menendez asked, "What do you say, children?"
"Thank you!" they yelled.
Narducci told the children to be good, study and "listen to your teachers."
Before Narducci walked out, Menendez asked her class how many of them wanted to be firefighters someday.
Dozens of little hands shot up in the air. Narducci smiled.
-- Melanie Ave can be reached at (813) 226-3400 and melanie@sptimes.com.