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On October 23, 1983, John Chipura was a young Marine in Beirut, Lebanon as part of the Multi-National Peacekeeping Forces there. At 6:22 a.m. John became a rescuer of his fellow Marines after a terrorist suicide bomber destroyed the Marine Barracks at the airport. After his tour of duty in the Marine Corps, John returned home to New York City. But John yearned for the camaraderie of the firehouse; his brother, Gerard, was a fireman, as their father, Anthony, had been. In August, 1998, John achieved his dream. Thus it was that on Tuesday, after the terrorist attack, that John phoned his fiancé, Gina DeFalco, to ask if she had any news of his sister Nancy, who worked in the World Trade Center. “There wasn’t any news,” said Ms. DeFalco, “but later, when I heard that Nancy was safe, I called John to tell him. But his ladder company had already left.” John and the five other firefighters in the truck have not been heard from since. Gerard Chipura, who survived, waits along with Ms. DeFalco, who refuses to give up hope; she and John planned to marry on Oct. 27th. Also not giving up hope are John’s sisters, Eileen Cella and Susan Cohen, along with their families. “The only good thing,” she said, “is that he is with the guys he worked with and loved.” A Memorial Service was held on November 6th, 2001. |
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| “Chipura learned of preciousness of life amid carnage in Mideast” |
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By Eric
Steinkopf |
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John Chipura knew how precious life was. He learned that lesson as a Marine in Beirut where 241 of his fellow leathernecks and servicemembers died as a result of a terrorist attack. Chipura was there on Oct. 23, 1983, and survived when the Marine Corps barracks was bombed. He was marked by the experience, said his sister, Nancy Chipura of Staten Island, N.Y. as she stood Wednesday at the Beirut Memorial in Jacksonville. “When he came back, he was more of a hugging person,” she said. “He knew how precious life was because it cold all be over in a second.” Fate can be cruel and it was fate that took Chipura, a New York firefighter, to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 only moments after the worst incident of terrorism ever committed on U.S. soil. This time, he didn’t make it. About 140 New York firefighters visiting North Topsail Beach on a holiday arranged by a group of beach homeowners, remembered Chipura Wednesday when they visited the Beirut Memorial. Chipura, 39, of Engine Company 219, served in Beirut as a radioman with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment with the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit. Chipura’s brother, a fireman with Ladder Company 148, said his brother never forgot his experiences as a Marine. “We didn’t know it, but John kept in touch with all the families from the bombing,” Gerard Chipura said. And the families, who learned that Chipura was killed when the Twin Towers collapsed, have reached back. They contacted the Chipura family after Sept. 11 to lend support and prayers. “They have been great,” Gerard Chipura said. Chipura’s family members said John talked more about his narrow escape in Beirut as time went on. He often spoke of how adversity bonds people. It was natural, friends said, that Chipura became a police officer and fireman after leaving the Marine Corps. Former firefighters, like former Marines, are always welcome to return home.
“As a police officer he was always looking to clean up the neighborhood and help other families,” she said. “He was very caring, and nothing got in his way or bothered him.” |
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| “He was a true Marine” |
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By Mike Sherrill |
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The firefighters stood in front of the wall of names, saluted in unison and bowed in a moment of silence. Some put patches and pictures of their brother, former Marine and Sept. 11 victim John Chipura at the foot of the Marine statue guard between the two granite walls of the Beirut Memorial in Jacksonville. Members of Fire Department New York, from Engine Company 219 and Ladder Company 105, who responded to Ground Zero Sept. 11 and lost co-workers when the buildings fell, visited the memorial Wednesday to honor the fallen 241 Marines and other servicemembers killed in Beirut as well as one of their own who survived the bombing but perished at the World Trade Center. “There are a lot of similarities between the Marines that lost their lives in Beirut on a goodwill mission and the firefighters who lost their lives in the World Trade Center on a goodwill mission,” FDNY Capt. Donald Howard said. For the firefighters, the visit was an emotional tribute after a chance to relax over Easter Weekend at North Topsail Beach. “John Chipura was part of this unit who was there (in Beirut) and now he’s gone,” FDNY Lt. John Atwell said. “He was a true Marine. Now, it’s nice to be able to honor the Marine Corps as they honor our loss today. “This is certainly a highlight of our trip.” Firefighters Christian Stathis and Peter DiSalvo also saw parallels between the fallen servicemembers killed in Beirut and firefighters who died when the Twin Towers collapsed after being struck by hijacked airliners. “There is certainly a connection between what we’re going through and what this community went through (after the bombing),” DiSalvo said. “We’re happy to be here. There are too many people to thank by name.” The trip, sponsored by a group of homeowners at North Topsail Beach, has offered a time to relax for the stressed firefighters, something in short supply since the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. “It seems for the past seven months we’ve been working or digging or going to memorials or funerals,” DiSalvo said. “There hasn’t been a whole lot of time for family.” Stathis said during a Monday round of golf, he felt the firefighters were able to laugh and joke for the first time since the tragedy. “It was just a short time. Our everyday waking thought is about Sept. 11,” Stathis said. Howard said he appreciated the space given the firefighters during their time in Onslow County. The benefits and memorials are well meant, but there is “only so much you can do in a week.” Then he turned to a Marine official and shook hands. “You made this trip,” Howard said. Earlier Wednesday, the firefighters were also given an on-base static display of weapons and equipment performed by the reserve 2d Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment activated after Sept. 11. Camp Lejeune spokeswoman Lt. Marisol Cantu said many of those reserves were from New York and New Jersey. “The 2/25 was definitely honored to be the host company, because they’re from that area and were personally touched by Sept. 11,” Cantu said. Brian Bower, a member of the Beirut Memorial Advisory Board, gave a small presentation on the memorial to the firefighters. Bower also saw the similarities in the Beirut mission and those who died responding to the World Trade Center. “You don’t want to be in that same fraternity, but if you are, it’s nice to know there’s a helping hand,” Bower said. Bower, a 42-year U.S. Army veteran, said he shared the childhood dream of many young boys wanting to be a firefighter. “You just don’t know who precious life is,” Bower said. “These people go out every day and don’t know if they’re coming home.” |
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| “Take Time to Pray” |
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From: Nancy Chipura Hi Everyone, For those of you who don't know me, I am John's sister Nancy. I found this e-mail in my e-mail files. It is an e-mail that John sent out on 6/18/01. The title is “Take Time to Pray.” I am sending this e-mail for two reasons. One is as a reminder to everyone that John sent this e-mail because he believed in it and was not afraid to send it to his friends and family. The second reason is that you were all an important part of John's life. Some of the e-mail addresses I recognize but a lot of them I don't. I am sending this out so that those of you who have not been able to contact John will be able to contact me and John's family. This is a very difficult time for us all. As we wait and pray for news on John, it is important to know that none of us are alone. We have each other. And, during this very difficult time, we have our memories of John. Please share your memories with us. John has touched so many lives in so many different ways. Some of you were in the Marines with John. Others shared his life as a policeman or firefighter. All of you were his friends. I pray that the Lord gives us all strength to get through this very difficult time.
Nancy Let us pray. Relax and let God be the only Person on your mind while you read this Prayer. If we can take the time to read long jokes, stories, etc., we should give the same respect to this prayer. Friends that Pray together, stay together. Let's pray...
Dear Lord, I thank You for this day. I Thank You for my being able to see and to
hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an
understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who refuse to share a word from You. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that will only read this and not speak this aloud in their own lives. I pray for those that will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those that don't believe. But I thank you that I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes, that they are out of debt & all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every Battle is in His hands for Him to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly. This is my prayer. Amen. Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me," I will be ashamed of you before my Father. "If you're Not ashamed Pass this on . But only if you mean it. Yes, I do Love God. He is my source of existence and Savior. He keeps me functioning each and everyday. Without Him, I will be nothing. Without him, I am nothing but with Him I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. (Phil 4:13). This is the simplest test . . if you Love God, and are not ashamed of all the marvelous things he has done for you. |
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| FDNY, NYPD Pay Visit to Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune |
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By Sgt Pamela Kershaw and Cpl Zachary A.
Crawford |
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After arriving at the Villa Capriani on North Topsail Beach, where they would be staying for the duration of their trip, the locals provided the New Yorkers with fishing trips during the day, free breakfasts all week, and even complimentary manicures and pedicures for the wives. On Wednesday, they arrived here and enjoyed a performance by the 2d Marine Division Band and also viewed a static display of various Marine Corps equipment and personnel, to include air and ground assets. Major General Martin R. Berndt, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, had a few things to say to the firefighters and policemen during a luncheon held at the staff noncommissioned officers club here. “The Marines here have a close affinity for those who serve others such as yourselves,” said Berndt to the firefighters. “We all do the same thing but in different ways. Here in eastern North Carolina, it is so important because we are cementing a bond that goes beyond uniforms, it goes beyond who pays your paycheck, and it goes to show that whether you are Marines, firefighters, or policemen, we all put others before ourselves.” Berndt also said a few words about the mission of the Marines here. “We both serve this nation and are your Marines and Sailors and we belong to you; and like it or not, you belong to us,” said Berndt. “We will do our job and we will always do it well. When we are called into action, Marines will perform like you expect them to, and will succeed like you do each and every day.” Berndt also reflected on the time that he was stationed in New York City as the Officer Selection Officer from 1972-75. According to Berndt, he was always amazed at the number of police officers and firemen who would offer a “Semper Fi” as he passed them on the street. There may not be many common factors between Jacksonville, N.C., and New York City, but to some of the members of the FDNY and NYPD, the similarities were obvious and hit close to home. According to New York firefighter Gerard Chipura, Ladder Co. 104, some of the firefighters came here to remember one of their own. “My brother John was a former Marine stationed here at Camp Lejeune from 1980 to 1984 and he served in Beirut before joining the New York Police Department and the FDNY,” said Chipura. “This is a very emotional time for us. My brother tragically lost his life while doing his job on September 11th. Chipura said visiting Camp Lejeune was a great experience. “It was an honor to be able to come here and be part of it all,” said Chipura. “I can’t thank the Marine Corps enough for everything they’ve done for us by letting us be here.” Some of the Marines who participated in the week’s events came from 2d Battalion, 25th Marines. Most of them hail from the New York and New Jersey areas and are scheduled to participate in this year’s upcoming Fleet Week in New York City. “We’re going there to represent the Marine Corps in New York City,” said Maj Wally D. Powers, assistant operations officer, 2/25, from Yonkers, New York. “All of us are pretty excited about going up there and interacting with our fellow New Yorkers.” The members of the FDNY wrapped up the week with a southern pig picking at the Villa Capriani, before returning to New York refreshed and ready to protect and to serve. |
| To Firefighter John Chipura, Ladder 219, Engine 105 |
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Dear John, In the blink of an eye For what we had For births, promotions, holidays, birthdays, And a year has gone by Lives went on, go on, different, not the same We try to do what you would want us to Help us, show us, tell us With all our love always, Your family, friends, fiancé and Mom-to-be |
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![Chipura’s brother, Gerard, and fiancée, Gina DeFalco, attend Wednesday’s service [Photo by John Althouse, The Daily News]](jdnews_pix.jpg)
Gina DeFalco
(pictured next to John’s brother, Gerard) of
Staten Island, Chipura’s fiancé, said he
brought a Marine Corps ethic to his work after leaving the service.
After Sept. 11, the entire nation gained a New
York state of mind. No place was this more true than in eastern North Carolina
last week (week of April 1st, 2001). Several firefighters, policemen, and
families of the New York Fire Department and New York Police Department came
here recently to see what the Marines, Sailors, and Coastguardsmen do for their
country and how they train to be better servicemen and women on a daily basis.