Today we remember Captain Walter G. Hynes, 46-years-old, Ladder 13 FDNY, who was killed on September 11th, 2001.
On the morning of September 11th, Walter called home as his rig left the firehouse at 85th Street and Lexington Avenue. He was on his way downtown. He said in his message to his wife, "I don't know if we'll make it out. I want to tell you that I love you and I love the kids."
Walter Hynes valiantly gave his life on the morning of September 11, 2001 while assisting victims of the World Trade Center attack. Walter was a family man, as well as a jack-of-all-trades. In addition to his job with the FDNY of 22 years, he was also a practicing attorney, and the co-owner of a restaurant in Rockaway Beach. In his earlier years, he had worked as a firefighter in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and put himself through law school at St. John's University at night.
When firefighters were ordered to evacuate the World Trade Center's north tower, Capt. Walter Hynes, leader of Ladder Co. 13, was with his men as they descended the stairs.
Somewhere on the way down, they found about 50 people in distress and tried to help them leave. Many never made it, including Hynes, a man who always made time for others.
"His greatest personal quality was his generosity of time, spirit and even his money," recalled his brother-in-law, Richard Fanning. "He was always the first guy to pick up a restaurant check or a bar tab." As a practicing attorney, "He was widely known throughout the community and throughout the fire department for being able and willing to provide free legal advice," Fanning said.
"Walter seemed to have an inexhaustible reserve of time. He never turned down a favor." Yet, “He had no free time, because he was always doing for everyone else."
Hynes had three elementary school-aged daughters. Around his neighborhood, they were known as "Walter and His Ladies". He enjoyed taking his three daughters each year to Disney World. He was very social. He just loved life.
We Will Never Forget!
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