SEAN P. MCGUIRE MEMORIAL

On February 14, 1986, at approximately 6:34 PM, the Vails Gate Fire Department responded to a working structure fire at the Two C's Restaurant on Windsor Highway, New Windsor, NY. Upon arrival, one patron was unaccounted for after the building was evacuated. Sean P. McGuire was part of the crew that entered the burning building to search for the missing patron. During the search, the conditions in the building deteriorated rapidly; fire engulfed the building and the search crew. Four Vails Gate firefighters were injured and hospitalized, one civilian died, and firefighter Sean P. McGuire died inside the building while searching for the patron.

The following article was written by the Orange County Post on May 11, 2018
The link to full article can be found here: https://ocpostny.com/2018/05/11/area-firemen-landscape-and-rededicate-new-windsor-firemens-memorial/

Area Firemen Landscape and Re-Dedicate New Windsor Firemen’s Memorial

New Windsor, Vail’s Gate and Quaissaick fire departments pulled together this past month and finished the beautification project for the already striking Firemen’s Memorial at the entrance to Town Hall properties.

The memorial was erected in October 1987 by the Vails Gate and New Windsor Fire Departments. It was done with a joint effort to raise the funds and one name was added Sean P. McGuire who was killed in the Line of Duty.

For this re-dedication Vails Gate Fire Department donated all man-hours to do the physical labor. New Windsor Fire Department donated money to help defray the cost. The concrete surround and plantings took many hours of off-time labor and have resulted in a beautiful and finished look for services which complement the town’s new tree and bush Arbor Day plantings.

Supervisor George Green said of the work “The Town is grateful to the Vails Gate Fire Department and New Windsor Fire Department for all the effort they put in to refurbishing the town fireman’s memorial. Our volunteer departments are the best of the best. They not only answer the call during emergencies, but are always ready to help our community out when ever asked. The monument is beautiful and the efforts of all involved is greatly appreciated.”

- By ocpostny, May 11, 2018