KEITH ALEXANDER GLASCOE
During a discussion of our memories of September 11, 2001, a friend shared with us the story of her friend that was lost that day. I wanted to be sure his name had a face as part of the project.
A hero.
That seems to be the overwhelming word used to describe him. A hero in all regards. A brave firefighter, working for three and-a-half years with the Fire Department of New York Ladder Company 21, Keith was one of the first responders. Running in while hundreds ran out. While his life will forever be immortalized by his final act of bravery - Keith was a hero long before that day, in so many aspects of his life.
Keith has also been described as Giant Teddy Bear in many of his memorial messages. I love the visual that this description brings. Kind, friendly, genuine - big. Keith was a father to two sons, Nolan and Owen, his wife Veronica was pregnant with their third child, Keith, Jr., when this tragedy occurred.
Keith was born 12/9/62 in San Francisco, and from a young age played football. At 6'4" and over 270lbs, he must have dominated the field when he played at Midwood High School in Brooklyn. He played offensive tackle, defensive end and kicker. He went on to play football at Springfield College in Springfield, MA for two years and then transferred to Delaware State College in Dover, DE. Keith graduated from Delaware State with a Bachelor in Business Administration. After graduation, he went to the New York Jets football training camp, but left after he sustained shoulder and neck injuries. He then went to Italy and played American football there, also becoming quite fluent in Italian. Later Keith played for the FDNY's football team.
Beginning his work as a public servant, he worked for a while at the New York City Children's Welfare Agency (CWA) which works to improve the lives of inner-city children.
During this time, Keith also began to pursue his acting career. He appeared in print ads, commercials and television programs including the made-for-TV movie, ''Assault on Devil's Island''. The highlight of his acting career, and what he is often remembered for, was his role as ''Benny'' in the film, ''The Professional''.
In 2004, Keith had a street named in his honor in New York City. It is located between Adam Clayton Powell, Jr Boulevard and Malcolm X Boulevard. Representative Ed Towns said this of Keith at the dedication ceremony, "Keith's street belongs between these two streets that are named after two African-American men who devoted themselves to improving the lives of ordinary people. Keith Glascoe was the kind of man who saw a problem and wanted to find a solution. He was the kind of man who saw a need and sought to fill it. He was the kind of man who helped others. And gave his life in the process of doing so. That is why it is fitting that we name this street after this great public servant. "
The New York Times lists his additional surviving relatives as, "his parents Benjamin Alexander and Gloria Glascoe; sister and brother-in-law Lee and Calvert Wright; grandmother Addie Oliver; uncles Victor M. Oliver and Sinclair Acey; great uncles Stanford Lawson, Woodrow Guill and great-aunt Jerusha Bennet; a nephew, four nieces and a host of cousins & other relatives. Mother & father-in-law Regina & Jacinto Squef; brother-in-law Gustavo Adrian Squef; sisters-in-law Kristen and Marcela, and a large circle of friends including Pedro Barry, Patrick Fahey, Chris Jones and his FDNY colleagues also survive him."
Thank you for your service to our country. We will remember you. Rest in Peace.
“The Firefighter’s Prayer”
When I'm called to duty God
wherever flames may rage
give me strength to save a life
whatever be its age
Help me to embrace a little child
before it is too late
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate
Enable me to be alert
to hear the weakest shout
and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and
to give the best in me
to guard my neighbor and
protect his property
And if according to your will
I have to lose my life
bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife.”
Please look at the following links for other memorials and tributes to Keith.
http://www.9-11heroes.us/v/Keith_Alexander_Glascoe.php
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/16/classified/paid-notice-deaths-glascoe-keith-alexander.html
http://the343.org/keithglascoe.html
http://www.legacy.com/Sept11/Story.aspx?PersonID=136237
http://www.votesmart.org/speech_detail.php?sc_id=114618&keyword=&phrase=&contain=
http://beastarzmom.blogspot.com/2006/09/we-remember-we-care-keith-glascoe-1962.html
http://www.livingtributes.com/livingtribute.php?memid=984
http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/memorial/wtc/glascoe_keith_ff_lad021.shtml
http://bravestmemorial.net/html/members/glascoe_keith_fr_l021.html
