[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 137 (Monday, December 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2148-E2149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN MEMORY OF NEW YORK CITY FIREFIGHTER AND ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SERGEANT 
                          CHRISTIAN ENGELDRUM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 6, 2004

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in sadness to pay homage and tribute 
to the life and

[[Page E2149]]

memory of New York City Firefighter and Army National Guard Sergeant 
Christian Engeldrum of Edgewater Park, the Bronx, New York, who died 
serving his country in Iraq on November 29, 2004.
  Mr. Engeldrum was a proud member of the New York City Fire 
Department, most currently serving at Ladder Company 61 in Co-op City 
in the Bronx.
  Sargeant Engeldrum's service to our Nation began in 1986 when he 
joined the U.S. Arrny and later served with distinction in Operation 
Desert Storm. During his tenure in the Army, Sergeant Engeldrum earned 
numerous accolades for his service including the Southwest Asia Service 
Medal with Bronze Service, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense 
Service Medal, Army Lapel Button, Sharpshooter Badge, Parachutist 
Badge, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal and the NCO 
Professional Development Ribbon.
  Upon completion of his military service, Sergeant Engeldrum joined 
the New York City Police Department, and, after successfully completing 
the Fire Academy in 1999, joined the Fire Department. He was assigned 
to Engine Company 89 in the Bronx. Moving through numerous fire 
stations Engeldrum was ultimately placed with Ladder Company 61 in the 
Bronx. His career in the Fire Department was as distinguished as his 
career in the Army, including his company's successful rescue of two 
civilians at a fire.
  Among his many accomplishments, Firefighter Engeldrum was also one of 
the first people to raise an American flag over Ground Zero after 
September 11, 2001. The events he witnessed that horrible day spurred 
him to re-enlist into the Army to fight for our Nation overseas and 
ensure our protection here at home. He was deployed to Iraq in 
November, 2004.
  While he left a wife and two growing sons behind, he volunteered so 
they could live in a safer country, a better world. Tragically, on 
November 30, he paid the ultimate price for his love of family and 
country when a roadside bomb exploded near his convoy outside of 
Baghdad. Firefighter Engeldrum was the first New York City firefighter 
to die in service to his Nation in Iraq.
  Christian Engeldrum is survived by his wife, Sharon who he met as a 
teenager selling Christmas trees at Engeldrum's Gas Station in the 
Bronx, as well as two sons, Shaun and Royce. Additionally, to make this 
sad occasion far more heartbreaking, his wife is now expecting another 
child. While this child will never get to know his father, may he 
always know that his father did not die in vain, but died to ensure the 
world this child is born into is one of safety, justice for all and 
free of terror. Christian was a patriot, and he loved this country, and 
died protecting it. Our City and our Nation owe him a true debt of 
gratitude.

                          ____________________