09/28/2023
I want to start to say Hello in Augie's words how he said Goodbye... "I Love You"
I have spoken to Augie's Family and showed them this slideshow for approval before releasing it. On behalf of the Family, they would like to Thank everyone that participated in honoring him, and those that came to pay their respect.
So often we ask ourselves "Why the Good Ones ?" I guess God needed them.
Augie was as nice of a person as anyone could ever meet, as Eddie said, "We should aspire to be like Augie."
These photos here are to Honor our Brother "Augie". I asked Darren if I can capture the ceremony for the family, he immediately said "No" the family doesn't want any photographers or videographers, I asked him to tell the family that it would be me, since I am friends with Augie's brother John and he would know that I would respect the family in the process and that I was a Firefighter myself, while understanding and sharing the pain since he was my friend. Darren got back to me within half an hour and said the family would absolutely allow me to capture the memory for them. This was a privilege for me because I knew I would be seizing a moment in history with a story that needed to be told and never forgotten. That Firefighters, Police and EMS honor our fallen brothers and sisters with Love, Dignity and Respect, and let the Blood Family know that they are not alone, that we are here to mourn with them and comfort them to ease their pain.
I know that there are so many people that gave so much to put this ceremony together; you all did an amazing job ! I personally dealt extensively with 2 of them which were the main organizers, and I saw them work round the clock and put in their Heart and Soul so that the families would have comfort and would be proud to be a part of this organization... Darren Rispoli and Mark Furka, I salute you !!!
Please share below if you have memories of Augie.
God Bless ! Never Forget and Never Again !
