A FDNY firehouse and the United States Navy Academy Men’s Lacrosse team exchanged pleasantries in Brooklyn on Saturday, Sept 28.
Firefighters and Alumni from Engine 257 and Tower Ladder 170 hosted 80 members of the team ahead of the Tunnel to Tower run on Sunday morning, an organization that gives homes to first responder families killed in the line of duty. This is the group’s second year in a row linking up for this event.
The lacrosse team ranges from ages 18 to 21, with Tower Ladder 170’s Lieutenant Kittleberg son having played on the team last year. The group exchanged knowledge of firefighting with the young candidates of the U.S Navy over dinner.
Firefighter Robert Velasquez of Engine 257 gave a speech about working through adversity and leadership. He was seriously injured after bailing out of a two story private home after a collapsed trapped and killed firefighter Timothy Klein on April 25, 2022.
Members of the Navy Academy can go on to become Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians, Information Systems Techs and Machinist’s Mate Nuclear.