Honorees

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Year Honored
2005
Honoree
Richard A Pearlman
Agency
Forest Hills Ambulance Corp
Agency City
Forest Hills
Agency State
New York
Last Call
9/11/2001
Cause of Death
Terrorist Attack
Biography
"So young to receive your wings, you didn't know you would get them that day, but you did. All you knew was that something terrible had happened and that many people were in need of help. You were last photographed with medics and the injured. If there could be a number given in rescuer, you would receive a number 1," wrote his sister. Richard A. Pearlman, 18, of Howard Beach, New York, lost his life in the collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Richard went on an errand from the law firm where he was employed to the One Police Plaza. While there, news came of an airplane hitting one of the Twin Towers located only two blocks away. Richard raced alongside police officers to the scene. He called work to tell them what was happening and they informed him to please return to work. However, Richard saw total mayhem before him, and his training kicked in. He stated that he saw people hurt and bleeding. "I have to stay and do what I can to help." His last whereabouts was depicted in a picture full of rescue workers helping the many shocked and injured people. The picture helps tell the story of what was happening minutes before the total collapse of the Twin Towers, by planes used as bombs against Americans. Young Pearlman was a volunteer medic and dispatcher for the Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He was to start his Emergency Medical Technician class in October. He loved rescue work, he loved the people he worked with, and the way his life had come together. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America. Richard was an Assistant Boy Scoutmaster of Troop 106 in Middle Village, New York. He was proud of what he had accomplished and looked forward to each tomorrow as an awakening challenge that he could easily handle. In the arms of the angels, Richard, you are number one.