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Freedom medal for Judge?

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Stephen McKinley

New York Sen. Charles Schumer has called on President Bush to posthumously award the U.S. Medal of Freedom to Father Mychal Judge, the chaplain of the Fire Department of New York.

Father Judge was one of the first from the fire department to die on Sept. 11, killed as he was giving Last Rites to dying firefighters at the World Trade Center. A photographer captured the heartbreaking moment as firefighters and police officers carried his body from the ruins in a photograph that was circulated around the world and brought to the attention of many, the unique life and ministry of the chaplain.

Speaking Sunday at Engine Co. 1, Ladder 24 on West 31st Street, Schumer, a Democrat, said, “Nothing could better symbolize our dedication to Father Judge and what he stood for, and the firefighters of New York and what they stood for, than awarding [him] the U.S. Medal of Freedom.”

Across the street stood the St. Francis of Assisi Church, where Judge had his home during his career as chaplain.

Replacing him will be Father Christopher Keenan, who readily admitted that Judge’s shoes would be hard to fill. Keenan also called for the Freedom Medal to be awarded to to his predecessor.

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Capt. Peter Gorman of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association told the 200-strong crowd gathered at the fire house that “if anybody symbolizes sacrifice . . . it was Mychal.” Judge’s twin sister, Dympna Jessich, was also on hand to show her support for the award.

A Ladder 24 firefighter, Joe Boneillo, knew Judge well. The firefighters across the street from St. Francis had the privilege of living so close to Judge’s home that they saw him perhaps more often than other firefighters, and he frequently joined them for meals.

Of the call for the Medal of Freedom, Boneillo said, “I think it’s terrific, but I think he’d be embarrassed by it,” recalling that Judge always put himself second after everyone else.

In October, a Month’s Mind was held for Judge in Chelsea, hosted by Malachy McCourt. Attending were people from many walks of life who had been touched by Judge’s unique and sometimes eccentric ministry.

The U.S. Medal of Freedom was instituted in 1945 by President Truman. It is the highest civilian award in the United States. The White House said that the matter is under consideration.

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