Two members of the Valley Stream Fire Department who died in the line of duty over 40 years ago were honored Tuesday.

Firefighters John J. Tate and Michael Moran died from injuries sustained while battling a fire at Temple Gates of Zion synagogue on Thanksgiving Day in 1979.

A new training center located at the site of the Valley Stream Department Arch was dedicated in Tate and Moran's names.

Firefighters in Valley Stream were on hand for the dedication of the $1 million facility, including former Fire Chief Brian Ferrucci, who was among the 13 other firefighters injured in the 1979 fire.

"I had eight surgeries, grafting, fingers were burned, side of my face," Ferric says.

He says Tuesday's event reminds him of how much people appreciate and respect firefighters.

Members of the fire department will practice search and rescue, cut through roofs and simulate some of the dangerous scenarios firefighters face at the training facility.