Friday, September 11, 2009

Cleo Coyle on 9/11: Firefighters Cook Up Award-Winning Ribs for a Great Cause!






Cleo Coyle on 9/11: 
Firefighters
Cook Up Award-
Winning 
Ribs
for a Great 
Cause!


Although I grew up in Southwestern Pennsylvania, I’ve been a New Yorker for over twenty years. September 11, 2001 was a terrible day of loss for this country and especially for the city I call home.

O
ver 2,000 of our fellow citizens perished that day along with 60 of New York’s Finest (our police and port authority officers). But it was New York’s Bravest, our firemen, who suffered the most devastating losses of all. Many of the 343 firefighters who died were senior members of the department. In one case, an entire company was nearly wiped out.

When the smoke finally cleared, hundreds of funerals were held all over New York for these heroes who answered their last alarms. At times, the grief seemed almost unbearable, but—as an example to us all—the New York City Fire Department worked to replenish its ranks and its spirits. 




O
ne way they have chosen to remember their lost members is through the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund. (**See more about this fund below.)

The Jim Beam Bourbon company is a big supporter of this fund. This past June, they held its inaugural Terry Farrell Firehouse Cook Off to bring attention to this special edition bottle. The bottle (pictured) is now sold in 25 states. If you see it and make a purchase, you are making a contribution to this non-profit fund to help firefighters.


Because today is such an important anniversary for New York's firefighters and because cooking is such an important part of firehouse life, I decided to share with you the winning recipe in this very special Firehouse Cook Off competition as well as a fun video of the event. 


Click the video below 
to visit with our NY firefighter
Firepit Masters!  








Click here to get Dana Lamel’s winning recipe. Dana (pictured left) is one of our local firefighters who also happened to graduate the Culinary Institute of America. He even works for celebrity chef Todd English between fires—a pretty nice perk for those firefighters who serve with him.
NOTE: When you click this link for Dana’s winning recipe, be sure to click over to page 2 of the article to get Dana's tips and instructions.

Finally, as a mystery writer, I often create situations where my amateur sleuths tangle with police and other officials, but as a New Yorker who witnessed the bravery, heroism, and tremendous sacrifice on 9/11, I can tell you that I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for the men and women who put on a uniform every day and risk their lives to protect ours.


If you are one of those who serve now or have served
—or if you have family members who do—
there’s no better day or date for us to say...

THANK YOU!




~ Cleo Coyle, author of
The Coffeehouse Mysteries

"Where coffee and crime
are always brewing..."


**The Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing firefighters and their families with financial assistance for their educational, medical and equipment needs. This charity was formed in honor of Terry Farrell, a decorated firefighter with FDNY Rescue 4 who perished on September 11, 2001, while fighting fires and rescuing victims at the World Trade Center. Originally aimed at providing a scholarship fund for the children of past and present FDNY firefighters, the organization grew rapidly and was able to offer firefighters, their families and needy fire departments with the help they needed in many areas. To learn more, click here.

12 comments:

  1. Cleo, you got me choked up, which isn't easy to do. Great video and story.

    The recipe looks fantastic--I love the Jim Beam addition to the sauce and the mop.

    Elizabeth

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  2. I join Elizabeth in being a bit choked up. lovely post.

    and super recipe! thanks.

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  3. Thanks for such an appropriate post today, Cleo. We all appreciate firefighters, rescue squads and police who serve every day.

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  4. I can't imagine what is was like to be in NYC when it happened. Thank you for showing us a unique way to help the firefighters.

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  5. This is a wonderful, moving post. Thank you for this.

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  6. Cleo-

    That was perfect. Thank you for such a moving post to commemorate this day.

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  7. Wow. That is so moving. All I can say is thank you.
    Sam

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  8. Thanks to everyone for commenting!!

    I really mean it. It's so good to know that you all thought it was the right thing to post today.

    Cheers and peace,
    ~Cleo

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  9. Lovely video dedicated to the fire fighters and police.
    This rib recipe sounds great. Can't wait to try it or actually have my husband try it. The grilling is his.

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  10. Okay, this has nothing to do with barbecue (thanks for the lovely tribute to 9/11 - I plan to try this recipe,too!) but a comment on earlier recipies, just tried this week.
    Both county and state fairs are over now and my 4-H grandkids always like to deliver treats to the folks who buy their animals. So we delivered Banana bars to the gal who bought two lambs, Tinkerbells to the gal who bought 8 rabbits and Cuppa Joe Mocha Drops to the man who bought a pig. Double recipies were made so the family could try some, too, and all got rave reviews!!!
    You all will probably read this blog, but I'm going to copy and paste on each one to be sure you each get your just due. Yum and thanks.
    Kat

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  11. Kathleen: So happy to hear that you enjoyed my Cuppa Joe Mocha Drops!

    For anyone who would like the recipe, all you have to do is drop by my Web site (link below) and hit the coffee cup hot button in the left column that says "Get Cleo's Recipes."

    Cheers, Kathleen,
    and thanks for taking the time and trouble to leave each of us such a great comment!
    ~Cleo

    Coffeehouse Mystery.com
    "Where coffee and crime are always brewing..."
    Cleo Coyle on Twitter

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