Islip Town Hall lit up red to honor fallen firefighters Billy Moon and Jesse Gerhard
The building will be lit up as a three-day living monument as part of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.
Islip Town Hall was lit up red Thursday night as part of a nationwide event honoring firefighters who sacrificed their lives.
The building will be lit up as a three-day living monument as part of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.
Billy Moon was one of two Islip firefighters who died last year, serving as chief in 2017.
"It's a really nice, small token of gratitude and remembrance," says Kristina Moon, Billy Moon's widow. "And the fact that it's happening all over the country right now I think makes it even more impactful."
Billy Moon continued to save lives even after his death.
Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter says Billy Moon's donated organs saved the lives of five people, including two New York City firefighters.
Jesse Gerhard served 12 years in Islip and was just 33 when died on duty.
"Ever since he was two, he wanted to be a fireman and there was no Plan B," says Lynn Gerhard, Jesse Gerhard's mother. "He did everything that he could to make it happen and we're just so proud of him for that alone - that he had a dream, he had a vision and he made it happen."
Both families say that Billy Moon and Jesse Gerhard were friends and that it is meaningful that the community that loved them continues to honor the two together.
