Matthew Lancelot Ryan - Someone You Should Know

Posted By Blackfive

2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11.

On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggers
will join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.

We will honor them by remembering their lives,
and not by remembering their murderers.

Battalion 1 Chief Matthew "Matty" Lancelot Ryan was not assigned to me in due course of the project. There were two reasons I requested to cover Chief Ryan for the project: [1] As I researched the fire chief, I discovered that we have a lot of similiarities (reading newspapers, hockey, and classic rock) and [2] someone that was originally assigned to cover Chief Ryan would have tried to hurt the Ryan family and tarnish the Chief's memory.

Matthew “Matty” Ryan, an Irish New Yorker, was born in 1947, married Margaret in 1969, and became a Firefighter in 1973. Ryan was known in the New York Fire Department as one of the calmest and under control fire fighters. He also was known for his love of hockey which he played at a seminary in Pennsylvania  And, as I mentioned previously, while he listened to all forms of music (including Jazz and Irish music), he most loved classic rock.

From Newsday:

“Often as the battle against a major fire was being waged, it was said, Ryan could be found whispering instructions and calming words of assurance in the ears of less seasoned firefighters…”

Matthew Ryan was recognized as always being the team's rock in the storm of a fire.  And because of his unflappable nature, he rose through the ranks in the Fire Department first as a fire fighter in Engine 280 in Brooklyn before becoming a lieutenant in Engine 43 in the Bronx among other assignments before becoming chief of Battalion 1 in Manhattan.

On Sunday, September 9^th, 2001, the Ryans had just returned from a family vacation on Cape Cod.

On September 11^th, terrorists flew two planes into the World Trade Center towers.  The FDNY responded to the attack.  We all know the story.  While people escaped the flames, other men and women ran into the towers.  Police and Firefighters saved who they could instead of saving themselves.  Their chiefs were on the ground and in the towers giving orders.

Based on all I've found, I'm certain that Chief Ryan was their anchor that day, even as the towers fell.

There is a scholarship set up in honor of Matthew Lancelot Ryan.

The BC Matthew Ryan Memorial Scholarship benefits children of active, retired and deceased members of the FDNY that played hockey (FDNY, Firehouse, Town , local or league teams).  The scholarship is available for use in HS, Trade, Vocational, or College/University purposes. You inquire how to help the fund via Mrs. Ryan:

Margaret Ryan
PO Box 1096
Massapequa, NY 11758

Please visit the other bloggers of the 2,996 project.

Update: NBC's Bryan Williams had a recent piece about the sons of the fallen firefighters becoming firefighters themselves.  Chief Ryan's son, Matthew, is now a FDNY Firefighter and wears his father's recovered claddagh ring.

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Matthew Lancelot Ryan - Someone You Should Know

2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11.

On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggers
will join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.

We will honor them by remembering their lives,
and not by remembering their murderers.

Battalion 1 Chief Matthew "Matty" Lancelot Ryan was not assigned to me in due course of the project. There were two reasons I requested to cover Chief Ryan for the project: [1] As I researched the fire chief, I discovered that we have a lot of similiarities (reading newspapers, hockey, and classic rock) and [2] someone that was originally assigned to cover Chief Ryan would have tried to hurt the Ryan family and tarnish the Chief's memory.

Matthew “Matty” Ryan, an Irish New Yorker, was born in 1947, married Margaret in 1969, and became a Firefighter in 1973. Ryan was known in the New York Fire Department as one of the calmest and under control fire fighters. He also was known for his love of hockey which he played at a seminary in Pennsylvania  And, as I mentioned previously, while he listened to all forms of music (including Jazz and Irish music), he most loved classic rock.

From Newsday:

“Often as the battle against a major fire was being waged, it was said, Ryan could be found whispering instructions and calming words of assurance in the ears of less seasoned firefighters…”

Matthew Ryan was recognized as always being the team's rock in the storm of a fire.  And because of his unflappable nature, he rose through the ranks in the Fire Department first as a fire fighter in Engine 280 in Brooklyn before becoming a lieutenant in Engine 43 in the Bronx among other assignments before becoming chief of Battalion 1 in Manhattan.

On Sunday, September 9^th, 2001, the Ryans had just returned from a family vacation on Cape Cod.

On September 11^th, terrorists flew two planes into the World Trade Center towers.  The FDNY responded to the attack.  We all know the story.  While people escaped the flames, other men and women ran into the towers.  Police and Firefighters saved who they could instead of saving themselves.  Their chiefs were on the ground and in the towers giving orders.

Based on all I've found, I'm certain that Chief Ryan was their anchor that day, even as the towers fell.

There is a scholarship set up in honor of Matthew Lancelot Ryan.

The BC Matthew Ryan Memorial Scholarship benefits children of active, retired and deceased members of the FDNY that played hockey (FDNY, Firehouse, Town , local or league teams).  The scholarship is available for use in HS, Trade, Vocational, or College/University purposes. You inquire how to help the fund via Mrs. Ryan:

Margaret Ryan
PO Box 1096
Massapequa, NY 11758

Please visit the other bloggers of the 2,996 project.

Update: NBC's Bryan Williams had a recent piece about the sons of the fallen firefighters becoming firefighters themselves.  Chief Ryan's son, Matthew, is now a FDNY Firefighter and wears his father's recovered claddagh ring.

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